Detectives with the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office were investigating the cause of a deadly apartment fire in Lawrence on Thursday.
The fire was reported Thursday afternoon in an apartment at the corner of East Pleasant Street and Saxonia Avenue in Lawrence. Fire officials said the man who was killed in the fire was a father who was staying with one of his children. The victim's family said he was in his 70s.
Multiple people at the scene told WCVB they tried getting into his apartment to save him, but the flames were too strong.
"That fire grew so fast," Alexis Peralta said. "It was just nothing but orange."
Firefighters contained the blaze to just the first floor of the home, where they found the victim. “I try not to get emotional about it, because it’s my job, but it is extremely tough for the family," Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty said.