The cause of a fire that started at a North Shore apartment building Easter morning and displaced more than four dozen people is under investigation, according to Massachusetts officials.The Lynn Fire Department said that shortly before 9:45 a.m. Sunday, it received multiple 911 calls reporting the fire at 167 Fairmount Ave., a four-story apartment building near the Saugus line.When Lynn and Saugus firefighters arrived at the scene, fire was showing from the third- and fourth-floor porches and flames had extended into the attic. Lynn fire Chief Dan Sullivan said all but eight of the building’s 49 units were occupied when the fire started.Collette Whitcomb, who lives in the apartment building, said she quickly grabbed her dog and got out of the building.”We just didn’t really think it was anything,” Whitcomb said. “Then I got outside and there was a ton of smoke.”Whitcomb’s boyfriend is a Saugus police officer who was working at the time of the fire. She said he wound up responding to the fire and got her cat out of her apartment safely.The Lynn Fire Department said the flames were under control within one hour and that crews remained at the scene for a few hours.The fire was contained in two units and an area of the attic, but officials said there was smoke and water damage throughout the building.Lynn Inspectional Services personnel were called to the scene and because of the water damage to building’s electrical service, none of the 52 residents were allowed back into the property. The Lynn Fire Department said it is unknown how long residents will be displaced.No civilians were injured by the fire, but officials said one firefighter suffered a minor injury. “For those who lost everything that they had and maybe their apartment and whatnot, obviously your heart goes out to them. You feel for them,” said Lynn resident Arthur Gerald. “But at the end of the day, we’re all alive and good. What’s lost can be replaced.”The Lynn Fire Investigation Unit is working to determine the cause of the fire.

LYNN, Mass. —

The cause of a fire that started at a North Shore apartment building Easter morning and displaced more than four dozen people is under investigation, according to Massachusetts officials.

The Lynn Fire Department said that shortly before 9:45 a.m. Sunday, it received multiple 911 calls reporting the fire at 167 Fairmount Ave., a four-story apartment building near the Saugus line.

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When Lynn and Saugus firefighters arrived at the scene, fire was showing from the third- and fourth-floor porches and flames had extended into the attic.

Lynn fire Chief Dan Sullivan said all but eight of the building’s 49 units were occupied when the fire started.

Collette Whitcomb, who lives in the apartment building, said she quickly grabbed her dog and got out of the building.

“We just didn’t really think it was anything,” Whitcomb said. “Then I got outside and there was a ton of smoke.”

Whitcomb’s boyfriend is a Saugus police officer who was working at the time of the fire. She said he wound up responding to the fire and got her cat out of her apartment safely.

The Lynn Fire Department said the flames were under control within one hour and that crews remained at the scene for a few hours.

The fire was contained in two units and an area of the attic, but officials said there was smoke and water damage throughout the building.

Lynn Fire Dept.

Lynn Inspectional Services personnel were called to the scene and because of the water damage to building’s electrical service, none of the 52 residents were allowed back into the property. The Lynn Fire Department said it is unknown how long residents will be displaced.

No civilians were injured by the fire, but officials said one firefighter suffered a minor injury.

“For those who lost everything that they had and maybe their apartment and whatnot, obviously your heart goes out to them. You feel for them,” said Lynn resident Arthur Gerald. “But at the end of the day, we’re all alive and good. What’s lost can be replaced.”

The Lynn Fire Investigation Unit is working to determine the cause of the fire.

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