Turtles Saved, Cat Dies In Beverly 3-Alarm, 2-Family House Fire

BEVERLY, MA — Four people were displaced, with one set of residents mourning the loss of a pet, following an early morning fire at a Beverly condominium Friday morning.

Beverly firefighters were able to rescue a cat and pet turtles from one unit, though they said one cat perished in the second unit on Abbott Street.

No people were injured in the blaze, Beverly fire said. Two adults in each condominium were displaced.

Firefighters arrived to find "heavy fire" from a second-floor window of the two-family structure.

"Crews met heavy heat, smoke, and flames as they advanced," Beverly fire said. "Given the building's size, age, and layout, firefighters quickly determined the fire had extended to the third floor and attic spaces and began searching for hidden fire."

A third alarm was struck and firefighters from Beverly, Salem, Wenham, Manchester, Hamilton, Peabody, Topsfield, and Middleton worked to find fires hidden in chases, behind walls, and in ceilings before the fire was brought under control.

Fire traveled up exterior walls and the roof line into the attic spaces, causing considerable damage to both sides.

"Turtles and a cat were saved from one unit, but one cat was lost in another," Beverly fire said. "At this time, it appears that the fire was accidental in nature and started in a second-floor office area.

"We are grateful for the help of our mutual aid partners and the dedicated response of REHAB5, and our public safety partners at the Beverly Police and Northeast Regional Ambulance."