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Accidental fire to blame for blaze that impacts over 20 people at Massena apartment complex

Posted 2/17/20

BY MATT LINDSEY North Country This Week MASSENA -- More than 20 people were displaced Sunday afternoon following a fire at a housing complex on Center Street. The fire was reported shortly before 3 …

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Accidental fire to blame for blaze that impacts over 20 people at Massena apartment complex

Posted

BY MATT LINDSEY
North Country This Week

MASSENA -- More than 20 people were displaced Sunday afternoon following a fire at a housing complex on Center Street.

The fire was reported shortly before 3 p.m. at 254 Center St. and crews were quickly on scene battling the blaze, according to Massena Fire Chief Paul Brownell.

Brownell said there were eight apartments impacted by the blaze and that about two dozen people lived there.

The fire started on the first floor and has been deemed accidental. The exact cause remains under investigation, Brownell said.

The fire spread to the second floor and ladder trucks were used to assist in putting the blaze out. It took firefighters about half an hour to get the fire under control.

Volunteers from the North Country Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to twenty people after a multi-family fire.

Brownell said that the owner of the apartments placed the tenants in other open apartments he owns.

The Red Cross provided financial assistance for necessities such as shelter, food and clothing to eight adults and 12 children ranging in age from 2 to 15. At least four families were affected.

At least two other families were expected to contact the Red Cross today. In the coming days, Red Cross staff and volunteers will remain available to help them and all those affected by the fire as they navigate the road to recovery.

There were no injuries, Brownell said.

Louisville fire was at the Massena fire station and Norfolk fire responded to the scene. DPW, Massena Electric and Massena Rescue also responded.

Massena fire was back in service around 8 p.m.