Dec 21, 2007 5:27 pm US/Eastern
Gloucester Apartment Years Overdue For Inspection
GLOUCESTER (WBZ) ―
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The eight alarm fire destroyed an apartment building and temple.
Photo by Herb./WBZ
The apartment building that was destroyed by a tragic blaze in Gloucester was reportedly years over due for an inspection.
In addition to the overdue inspection, the Lorraine Apartment building hadn't had an occupancy permit since 1998, according to a report in the Gloucester Times.
The 8-alarm fire broke out last Saturday morning, killing one man and completely destroying the apartment building and a temple.
The paper also reported that the building's owner was notified three years ago that an inspection of the building was due. There is no record of the owner ever responding to the inspection request, the Gloucester Times said.
The state's fire marshal said the fire is believed to be accidental, though an exact cause is still unknown.
It claimed the life of 70-year-old Bob Taylor, who lived alone in the building for about 20 years. Taylor's remains have not yet been found.
Investigators have been using cadaver dogs, heavy equipment and hand tools as they painstakingly search through the rubble.
"In my 10-plus years as fire marshal, we have never left the scene of a tragedy without the remains of the victims," said Massachusetts State Fire Marshall Steve Coan.
The fire began in the basement of the Lorraine Apartments and spread quickly. Firefighters were able to safely evacuate the first three floors of the building, before fierce flames chased them out.
Crews attempted to rescue Taylor through a window, but according to Gloucester Fire Chief Barry McKay, the flames were too intense.
"The fire was blasting so badly, two of my firefighters had to bail out under emergency conditions simply to survive," McKay told WBZ-TV.
The Lorraine Apartment building was reduced to rubble, as was the adjacent Temple Avahat Achim. Rabbi Samuel Barth vowed to rebuild the temple, which was the home of worship for more than 200 families.
Other neighboring buildings were saved by the snowpack on their roofs, which extinguished burning embers.
The cause of the blaze has not been determined but the investigation continues to be ongoing, Coan said.
A fund has been set up to help the victims of the Gloucester fire.
The Gloucester Fund
45 Middle Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
978-490-0001
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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