For Immediate Release

Sunday, June 30, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Wenham Police Assist in Rescue Effort During 2-Alarm Apartment Fire

WENHAM — Police Chief Thomas Perkins reports that the Wenham Police and Fire Departments responded to a two-alarm fire inside of an apartment building for elderly and disabled residents Sunday morning.

At approximately 7:40 a.m. Sunday, the Wenham Police and Fire Departments responded to Enon Village, on Larch Lane, for a report of a fire inside of a second-floor apartment. The apartment building is operated by the Wenham Housing Authority.

Upon arrival, heavy smoke and fire was seen coming from a second-floor apartment in Building H.

Firefighters immediately started working to extinguish the flames while Wenham Police Officer Wesley Izidoro began evacuating residents from the building.

A short time later, a second alarm was struck by Wenham Fire scene commander Captain Jeff Baxter. Firefighters from Hamilton, Beverly and Topsfield responded to the scene to assist. Fire personnel from Danvers and Manchester-by-the-Sea provided station coverage.

A group of Hamilton firefighters assigned for primary search and rescue, led by Hamilton Fire Lt. Andrew Ellison, located a 69-year-old woman inside of the apartment where the fire began. The woman was unresponsive and was carried out of the burning apartment to safety. She received medical aid from Wenham Police Sgt. David Marsh and firefighters on-scene and was able to be revived. She was subsequently transported by Atlantic Ambulance to Beverly Hospital with serious injuries and her condition is unknown at this time.

Two cats were also rescued by firefighters from the same second-floor apartment. Members of the Topsfield Fire Department gave one of the cats oxygen and both cats were taken to the Danvers Animal Hospital and are expected to survive.

The firefighters were able to get the fire fully under control around approximately 8:20 a.m. The fire was fully extinguished and overhaul was completed around 8:55 a.m. 

The cause and origin of the fire is currently under investigation. Members of the State Fire Marshal’s Office were called to the scene to assist in the investigation. The initial investigation indicates that the fire is not suspicious.

The fire was able to be contained to one apartment, but due to water and smoke damage, four apartments were deemed uninhabitable by fire officials and the town’s building inspector. The Wenham Housing Authority was working with the American Red Cross to find temporary housing for the 10 people who were displaced.

No other injuries were reported in the incident.

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