LAWRENCE, Mass. — A huge blaze started in an empty downtown nightclub early Monday and spread quickly through 16 buildings, destroying homes and businesses and forcing residents to flee in their pajamas.
One person suffered minor injuries.
An ambulance crew on an unrelated call spotted the fire about 2:30 a.m., state Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said. The fire started in a nightclub that was being renovated and spread quickly on a stiff wind through the block, which included early- 1900s wood-framed buildings. Three of the buildings were being rehabilitated by Habitat for Humanity.
The club had no walls, and that “gave the fire an opportunity to take hold very quickly,” Coan said.
Fire officials in Lawrence, about 30 miles north of Boston, said the cause was suspicious. Coan said state and city fire officials were investigating with agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Nightclub owner Geraldo Torres said the last time he was in his building was Saturday evening. He said he had no idea how the fire started because he turned off the power whenever he left.
About 150 people were evacuated.
“A lot of these people who were burned out today don’t have anything,” said Bill Meagher, a Red Cross volunteer.
