WORCESTER, Mass. - What was once a home is now a total loss, after a three-alarm fire destroyed 36 apartment units in Washington Heights. Worcester Fire Department responded around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday for reports of heavy fire and people trapped.
"[It was] a very labor-intensive operation to extinguish fire that was rolling over their heads while bringing people out of windows over ground ladders," said Assistant Chief Adam Roche. "As you can imagine, that's a stressful situation, extremely labor intensive, very difficult for the firefighters."
What You Need To Know
- A three-alarm fire destroyed an apartment in Worcester's Washington Heights complex
- Worcester Fire Department says 36 units were impacted by the fire
- Two people were rescued from the building and three people were taken to the hospital. No firefighters were injured
- The American Red Cross and Salvation Army were on scene to assist residents. A shelter has been set up at the Senior Center
Damage to the roof and siding was clearly visible on the building. Roche says two people were rescued, and three were taken to a local hospital.
Residents sat outside, watching smoke rise from a torn-up roof, unsure about their future. That's where the American Red Cross stepped in.
"We'll start case work with them which will give them some financial assistance to go out and replace some of the items that they've lost, and just help them figure out what's next," said Jeff Hall, a spokesperson for the Red Cross' Massachusetts division.
The Red Cross says roughly 100 people were displaced as a result of the fire. The nonprofit set up an emergency shelter for those impacted at the Worcester Senior Center, where they expect to be for the next few days.
"They'll be assigned a caseworker and they'll touch base with them every few days at first and then every week," Hall said. "And we stay with them for as long as they need."
Also working to help residents is the Salvation Army, who spent Tuesday morning packing meals for those staying at the shelter. They also provided baby necessities as a number of young children were among those displaced.
"As people look to rebuild their lives, it can be like the worst moments ever of their lives as they've suffered such a devastating loss," said Emily Mew, director of the Massachusetts Salvation Army's emergency disaster services. "So, to be able to really be there for them, provide that hope and that help is critical."
The fire department says it looks like the fire began on the third floor and it took about an hour to get it under control. The cause is still under investigation.