Massive 9-alarm fire consumes Massachusetts motel, four nearby buildings

A massive 9-alarm fire engulfed a Massachusetts motel before spreading to several buildings nearby, leaving dozens of residents displaced.

The flames first erupted near Michael’s Oceanfront Motel on Monday just before 2 a.m., according to the State Department of Fire Services.

Strong winds ripping through Salisbury, a beach community located near the New Hampshire border, only stoked the blaze, pushing the fire into several nearby structures. Officials said four residences, including a 12-unit apartment building, were left completely destroyed while a few others were damaged in the early-morning incident.

It took local firefighters hours to battle the fire, even with help from other first responders across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. All together, more than 100 firefighters from 30 separate fire departments helped to fight the flames, according to NBC Boston.

Video shared on social media show responders struggling to contain the blaze as it reached some of the neighboring buildings.

No injuries or deaths have been reported in connection with the fire, though some 30 residents have been displaced, according to the American Red Cross.

“Our top priority throughout the night was to protect the surrounding community from a large and growing fire that was being pushed toward other structures by high wind conditions,” Salisbury Fire Chief Scott Carrigan said in a statement.

The cause of the fire, dubbed one of the worst the town has seen in 25 years, remained under investigation on Tuesday. Carrigan said it’s possible the blaze first broke out in the alley space between the motel and the neighboring apartment building.

Local authorities announced in a tweet that a community room had been set up at the Salisbury police station for those affected by the fire or may need assistance.

According to its website, Michael’s Oceanfront Motel is locally owned and first opened its doors 17 years ago.

With News Wire Services