ATHOL — A fire originating in a kitchen area evacuated residents from a two-story unit on the corner of Lake Street and Wallingford Avenue on Wednesday afternoon.
The cause of the fire in the apartment located at 184 Lake St. is under investigation.
“The fire started on the first floor,” Athol Fire Chief Joseph P. Guarnera said. “Crews responded and extinguished the fire. They made a great stop. It really could have been a lot worse. At this time, there is no determination of cause or origin.”
Over a dozen residents live in the four-unit building; they were all accounted for outside the building.
“We did a search of all the floors,” Guarnera said. “Everything was clear, no further damage. But there was pretty extensive damage to the kitchen itself.”
The fire produced significant flames, according to Guarnera.
“They went right into the fire room,” Guarnera said. “Everybody is accounted for, nobody is hurt — firefighters or occupants.”
Heavy smoke billowed out from a first-floor entrance and windows on the side of the residence as the Athol Fire Department entered the building with two water lines.
The owner of the building, Jeff Brewer, had a closing of the sale of the space set for Thursday.
The Barre Fire Department as well as the Winchedon Fire Department responded to assist along with the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services.
