ATHOL — A fire originating in a kitchen area evacuated residents from a two-story building on the corner of Lake Street and Wallingford Avenue on Wednesday afternoon.
The cause of the fire in the apartment located at 184 Lake St. is under investigation.
“The fire started on the first floor,” Athol Fire Chief Joseph P. Guarnera said. “Crews responded and extinguished the fire. They made a great stop. It really could have been a lot worse. At this time, there is no determination of cause or origin.”
More than a dozen residents live in the four-unit building; they were all accounted for outside.
“Nobody is hurt — firefighters or occupants,” Guarnera said.
The fire produced significant flames, according to Guarnera. Heavy smoke billowed out from a first-floor entrance and windows on the side of the residence as the Athol Fire Department entered the building with two water lines.
“We did a search of all the floors,” he explained. “Everything was clear, no further damage. But there was pretty extensive damage to the kitchen itself.”
The owner of the building, Jeff Brewer, had a closing of the sale of the space set for Thursday.
The Barre Fire Department as well as the Winchendon Fire Department responded to assist along with the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services.
