Quick Work by Gloucester Fire Department Prevents Spread of Apartment Building Fire

Quick work by Gloucester firefighters prevented Thursday’s fire from spreading to an attached house. (Courtesy Gloucester Fire Department)

GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith reports that the Gloucester Fire Department quickly extinguished a fire overnight in an apartment building.

At 1 a.m. Thursday, crews received a report of a fire at 59 Prospect St., at the intersection with Mason Street. The first arriving company found fire on the staircase and landing that connects 59 Prospect St. with a building at 25 Mason St.

The fire was knocked down within minutes of firefighters’ arrival.

“If not for the quick response and knockdown of this fire, the damage and loss would have been far more significant,” Chief Smith said.

Five people were displaced until repairs are made to the building.

After an investigation, it was found that cause of the fire was careless disposal of smoking materials. The Gloucester Fire Department reminds residents to properly dispose of smoking materials, whether inside or outside.

Station coverage was provided by Beauport Ambulance and the Rockport Fire Department.