PEABODY — About 20 residents of the Essex Place apartments were forced out of their homes by a stubborn fire that smoldered in the walls, then burst into flame, eventually causing one firefighter to escape head-first down a ladder.
Firefighters don't know what caused the blaze at 36 Keys Drive, near the Northshore Mall. It started around 1 p.m. in a 12-apartment building and smoldered in the walls and ceiling. Of the 12 rentals, six were completely destroyed and the rest suffered heavy smoke and water damage, fire Chief Steve Pasdon said.
An adjoining building, 34 Keys Drive, was also evacuated.
Steve Franzosa, the veteran firefighter who escaped from a third-story window, was the only person injured, officials said. He was treated and released at the Lahey Clinic, according to a hospital spokesman.
The fire is under investigation.
Fore more details on the fire, please see Tuesday's edition of The Salem News.
