Massachusetts

1 Seriously Injured, 10 Displaced in Apartment Fire

Officials responded to a two-alarm fire inside of an apartment building for elderly and disabled residents in Wenham Sunday morning.

According to police, they responded to Enon Village on Larch Lane for a report of a fire in a second-floor apartment just before 8 a.m. Sunday. Responding officials found heavy smoke and fire coming from the apartment when they arrived.

Firefighters began to battle the flames while police officers began evacuating residents from the building.

A second alarm was then struck, bringing firefighters from Hamilton, Beverly and Topsfield to assist.

A 69-year-old woman was found inside of the apartment where the fire began. The woman, who was unresponsive, was carried out to safety. She received aid from firefighters on-scene and was revived.

Officials say she was then transported to Beverly Hospital with serious injuries. Her condition is not known at this time.

Two cats were also rescued from the apartment. One cat was given oxygen at the scene, and both were transported to Danvers Animal Hospital. They are expected to survive, police said.

The fire was completely extinguished by 8:55 a.m.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Initial investigations suggest that the fire is not suspicious, police said.

The fire was contained to one apartment, but water and smoke damage forced officials to deem four apartments uninhabitable. The Wenham Housing Authority is working with the American Red Cross to find temporary housing for the 10 people who were displaced.

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