Residents from Burning Building

The Gloucester Fire and Police Departments responded to a two-alarm structure fire late Saturday night. (Photo Courtesy Gloucester Fire Department)

GLOUCESTER — Fire Chief Eric Smith and Police Chief Edward Conley report that the Gloucester Fire and Police Departments responded to a two-alarm structure fire late Saturday night that resulted in five rescues with injuries.

At about 10:22 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, firefighters and police officers were dispatched to 3 Pirmi Lane for a reported structure fire.

Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy fire coming from the second floor of a multi-unit building. A second alarm was struck, bringing additional resources to the scene.

Firefighters, with assistance from Gloucester Police Department officers, conducted five rescues, which included evacuations using ground ladders.

One resident was transported to Beverly Hospital, while another was transported to Addison Gilbert Hospital. A third resident self-transported for evaluation. Three Gloucester police officers were also transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation sustained during their efforts.

“I am proud of the heroic efforts of our officers and all first responders involved. We are hopeful for the swift recovery of everyone affected by this incident,” said Chief Conley.

Chief Smith stated, “Due to the incredible work of our first responders, we made numerous rescues. If not for their efforts, the outcome would have been a tragic loss of lives. Unfortunately, we have many displaced families as the entire building had to be shut down, and it will be some time before these residents will be able to get back into their homes.”

The bulk of the fire is knocked down, and crews are currently overhauling the scene to ensure all hot spots are extinguished.

Chief Smith would like to thank mutual aid partners from the Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rockport, and Ipswich Fire Departments for assisting at the scene, as well as the Danvers, Beverly, and Hamilton Fire Departments for providing station coverage.

State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office has been requested to the scene. The official cause of the fire remains under investigation.

No further information is available at this time.