LOCAL 648
Fire in Springfield's North End destroys apartment building
Posted On: Dec 02, 2011

Fire in Springfield's North End destroys apartment building

Published: Friday, December 02, 2011, 8:18 PM     Updated: Friday, December 02, 2011, 9:10 PM

Patrick Johnson, The Republican

This is an update of a story first posted at 4:45 p.m. Friday

SPRINGFIELD - A recently renovated apartment building at 34-36 Harriet Street in the city’s North End that was on the verge of accepting new tenants caught fire Friday afternoon and sustained significant damage before the fire could be contained.

Firefighters were still on scene late last Friday night trying to contain the fire. Portions of the roof had collapsed as well as parts of the exterior facade, said Fire Department spokesman Dennis Leger.

The building, he said, is likely a complete loss.

No one was injured.

Just two of the apartment’s 16 units were occupied, and the three people who were staying there got out safely, Leger said.

The Pioneer Valley chapter of the American Red Cross was called in to provide temporary shelter, he said.

The fire started in a third-floor bedroom, but firefighters do not yet know the cause he said.

The fire was reported at 4:14 p.m. and when the first firefighters arrived on scene three minutes later, they spotted heavy flames spilling out a third-floor window.

Springfield fire severely damages North End apartment building at 34 Harriet St.
Enlarge 12/02/11-Springfield- Staff Photo by Dave Roback- Springfield Fire Department at the scene of an apartment fire on Harriet Street in Springfield's North End. Springfield fire severely damages North End apartment building at 34 Harriet St. gallery (11 photos)

The fire eventually spread to the fourth floor and then to the roof.

After about 30 minutes on scene, firefighters were ordered to abandon the building because it was in danger of collapsing.

Two adjacent buildings were also evacuated as a precaution, Leger said.

Fire on Harriet Street Fire on Harriet Street Fire destroys an apartment building on Harriet Street in Springfield. Watch video

Sheryl Chase, the property manager for the apartment, said it had recently undergone
a heavy renovation and was in the process of accepting new tenants.

US Bank foreclosed on the property in January and evicted most of the tenants. Since then it had invested what she said was a significant amount to make repairs.

Chase said three to four new tenants were scheduled to move in on Saturday.

The fire broke out in one of the two apartments that had tenants, she said. While waiting to hear from the fire department, Chase said “I hope to God he is OK.”


-
Contact Info
IAFF Local 648
33 Eastland St.
Springfield, MA
 

Top of Page image
Powered By UnionActive - Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved.