Gloucester, MA – One person is dead and an apartment complex and temple are destroyed in a massive eight-alarm fire that burned overnight Friday into Saturday.
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Firefighters say the flames broke out just before midnight in the Lorraine Apartments at 80 Middle Street. They were able to safely evacuate the first three floors of that building, but the flames spread so quickly that firefighters themselves were evacuated before they reached the fourth floor.
One unidentified man died in the fire. Crews attempted to rescue him, but according to Gloucester Fire Chief Barry McKay, the flames were too intense.
"The gentleman was spotted in a window between the Lorraine Apartments and temple," McKay said. "They immediately brought a 35-foot ladder to the location and attempted rescue. They did get into the room with the gentleman but the fire was blasting so badly, two of my firefighters had to bail out under emergency conditions simply to survive."
About 30 residents live in the 20 units of the Lorraine Apartments. They were taken to City Hall and the nearby Fuller School.
Also destroyed by the fire was Temple Ahavat Achim, the home of worship for more than 200 North Shore families. Rabbi Samuel Barth said the temple has been a centerpiece of the region's Jewish community for more than 100 years. [cbs3 – Vin]