First responders took two residents and three police officers to a hospital after a two-alarm fire broke out at a Gloucester apartment building Saturday night.
Firefighters and police officers responded to the fire at 3 Pirmi Street around 10:20 p.m. the fire department said in a news release. At the scene, crews found heavy flames coming from the second floor of the building with several outbuildings, and a second alarm was soon raised.
Firefighters and police officers worked together to rescue five people from the building, the fire department said. First responders took one resident to Beverly Hospital and another to Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester.
A third resident was taken to a hospital for evaluation, the fire department said. Rescuers also took three police officers to a hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.
“Due to the incredible work of our first responders, we made numerous rescues. If not for their efforts, the result would have been a tragic loss of life,” Gloucester Fire Chief Eric Smith said in the statement.
Firefighters from Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rockport and Ipswich also responded to the fire, the fire department said. After most of the fire was out, firefighters checked the scene to make sure all hot spots were extinguished.
Many families have been displaced as a result of the fire, Fire Chief Smith said in the statement. The Glouchester Fire Department and the state fire marshal’s office are investigating the cause of the fire.
“I am proud of the heroic efforts of our officers and all first responders involved. We look forward to the speedy recovery of all those affected by this incident,” Gloucester Police Chief Edward Conley said in the statement.