Exploding Oxygen Tanks Fuel Mass. House Fire
Source The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass.
April 10--LAWRENCE -- A massive fire bolstered by exploding oxygen tanks ripped through a Tower Hill two-family home overnight.
There were no serious injuries in the fire at 118 Olive Ave. Eight people, including five adults and three children, lost their homes, said Lawrence Deputy Fire Chief John McInnis.
Between 30 to 40 oxygen canisters were stored in the house. The cannisters kept exploding as firefighters tried to get the 3-alarm fire under control.
"It was brutal," McInnis said.
Fire crews eventually went into a "surround and drown" strategy, pulling all firefighters out of the house and deluging the 2 1/2-story wood- frame building with water.
McInnis described the home as a "total loss."
It's unclear why so many oxygen canisters were stored on the first floor of the home, McInnis said.
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze around 11:30 p.m. by numerous 911 calls from the area. The fire appears to have started in the basement, but when crews arrived flames were shooting through the roof, McInnis said.
One resident was taken to Lawrence General Hospital as a precaution. A pet dog was rescued in the fire and with the help of Lawrence police was resuscitated using the Fire Department's new pet oxygen mask, McInnis said.
Lawrence firefighters received help from Methuen, North Andover, Andover, Dracut and Lowell firefighters at the scene. Firefighters from North Reading, Salem, N.H. and Haverhill covered headquarters while Lawrence firefighters were tied up.
Local resident Becky Rodwill Bradley is in the process of arranging a recovery fund for the families effected by fire. Bradley is working with Heal Lawrence, a Lawrence group that helps fire victims.
The American Red Cross said it assisted two families. One family of four had another place to stay; the other family was placed in a hotel, the Red Cross said. The families were given funds for clothing and food.
More on this story as it develops at eagletribune.com.
Follow staff reporter Jill Harmacinski on Twitter @EagleTribJill.
Copyright 2014 - The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass.
