revere

Trapped Residents Rescued From High-Rise Fire in Revere, Mass.

Fire officials said the flames started on an outdoor deck on the 11th floor

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Firefighters rescued at least two people during a fire that broke out on the 11th floor of a high-rise in Revere, Mass. on Tuesday.

Revere Fire Chief Chris Bright said the fire started on a large deck at the Water's Edge apartments on Ocean Avenue, on the 11th floor. The people who live in the apartment where it started weren't home at the time.

Two people who were trapped in the unit across the hall had to be rescued by fire crews, Bright said.

Massachusetts State Police said their troopers ran in and rescued an elderly man who was on oxygen and needed help getting out of the building.

No serious injuries have been reported, but the extent of the damage is not yet clear. Bright said when firefighters arrived the whole deck was on fire, and while the flames were mostly contained outside, water damage could extend from the 11th floor all the way down to the fourth floor.

Still, Bright said the situation could have been much worse.

"A lot of things went our way. Very fortunate. Time of day, the direction wind was blowing, and we have a fire watch currently in this building. That helped a lot also," he explained.

He added that while the cause of the fire is under investigation, they've received reports that people often smoke cigarettes in the area.

The American Red Cross has responded to help displaced residents. Resident Alice Hall, who spoke outside the building, said she was concerned about getting access to the building to check on her cat.

"I’m just nervous about not being able to get upstairs. I take a lot of medicines they’re up there," she said.

About 100 people are displaced Tuesday night, officials said.

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