Gloucester police and fire officials have reopened Washington Streeet above Grant Circle, nearly four hours after an afternoon fire ravaged a two-story home at the corner of Ashland Place.
firefighters battled a two-alarm fire in a century-old house at 2 Ashland Place, located off Washington Street just north of the city's busiest traffic circle, driving two related families from their homes. There was just one person inside when the fire broke out, but he was able to escape without injury. Two dogs and a rabbit were also rescued from the blaze.
Firefighters among the first group of responders reported that "heavy fire" was showing at the scene shortly after the initial call at around 2:15 p.m. A second alarm also sounded shortly before 2:30.
The house, located on the corner of Ashland and Washington, is a two-story, two-family structure that was built circa 1900, records show. Police and fire officials shut down Grant Circle access to or from Washington Street, with allowances for anyone who needed to get to or from Addison Gilbert Hospital. The street, however, was fully reopened at 6 p.m.
Rockport, Essex, Manchester and Hamilton fire departments all responded to provide aid at the scene, and to provide mutual aid coverage for the city. National Grid also dispatched a crew to the fire site, and power was cut to houses along the length of Ashland Place shortly after 3 p.m.
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