The fire caused approximately $50,000 in damage and displaced the 25 to 35 people who live there.
HOLYOKE – A 4-year-old child playing with a lighter caused a fire at a three-story brick apartment building at 3 Laurel St. Saturday afternoon that sent four people to the hospital, including a firefighter who was trampled by the tenants rushing out of the smoke-filled structure.
Fire Lt. Thomas G. Paquin said when firefighters arrived they saw heavy smoke pouring out of the building and numerous residents laying on the ground who needed medical attention.
He said the fire was called in just after 2:30 p.m. and took between 20 and 30 minutes to extinguish.
The child was playing with the lighter in the first floor apartment, Paquin said. The fire caused approximately $50,000 in damage and displaced the 25 to 35 people who live there, he said.
Paquin said the residents will either stay with friends or in alternative housing being provided by the landlord, Atlas Property Management. The residents who were taken to the hospital were suffering from smoke inhalation. One of them was visiting from Puerto Rico.
He did not release the firefighter’s name, but said he may have broken his hand. Another tenant reported that she would seek medical treatment on her own.
Approximately 20 firefighters responded to the scene. The investigation was handled by the department’s arson investigators and troopers from the state fire marshal’s office.