For Immediate Release

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Newburyport Fire Department Battles 4-Alarm Commercial Building Fire

NEWBURYPORT — Chief Christopher LeClaire reports that the Newburyport Fire Department battled a commercial building fire today, making an aggressive attack to save the structure and sparing neighboring buildings in the heart of downtown Newburyport.

Firefighters responded at 4:15 a.m. Tuesday for a commercial fire alarm at Abraham’s Bagels and Pizza, located at 11 Liberty St. Firefighters found heavy flames visible upon arrival and made an aggressive interior attack. Firefighters were able to beat back the flames and save the building from destruction. A fourth alarm was struck to bring additional manpower to the scene, and one firefighter was evaluated for heat-related illness.

The building sustained heat, smoke, and water damage, and the outdoor eating area was badly damaged. The bagel shop and a law office located on the second floor will be uninhabitable until repairs can be made.

“This was a serious fire with heavy flames visible upon arrival, but firefighters made an aggressive, offensive attack and were able to spare 90 percent of the building from significant damage,” Chief LeClaire said. “We were able to stop this fire before it did more damage to the downtown area.”

Fire crews from Amesbury, Merrimac, Newbury, Rowley, Salisbury, West Newbury, Exeter, N.H., Kensington, N.H., Portsmouth, N.H., Rye, N.H., and Seabrook, N.H. responded to the scene. Crews from Groveland, Salisbury, and Hampton Falls, N.H. covered the two Newburyport firehouses during the incident. The Salisbury Police Department also responded to assist Newburyport Police with traffic and detours, as several roads were closed during firefighting efforts.

Merrimac, Water, and State Streets, as well as several side streets, were all closed from 4:15 a.m. until shortly before 8 a.m.

The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation by the Newburyport Fire Department, the Newburyport Police Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

###