Andover Commons Fire Kills 80-Year-Old Man

ANDOVER, MA — A two-alarm fire at an elderly housing complex during Thursday morning's storm proved fatal, officials confirmed. The victim was an 80-year-old man found by responders in his apartment, Fire Chief Michael Mansfield said.

The Andover Fire Department responded to Andover Commons at 30 Railroad Ave. around 11 a.m. for a reported fire. The Commons is a four-story building with 167 units.

Crews saw smoke coming out of a fourth-floor apartment on the south side of the complex. Residents were moved to common areas while firefighters worked the scene.

Firefighters found the victim in his apartment. They applied emergency measures in an attempt to save his life, but he was pronounced dead at Lawrence General Hospital.

No other injuries were reported. All residents were able to return to their apartments.

Lawrence, Methuen, Tewksbury, Wilmington, North Reading and North Andover Fire Departments provided mutual aid and station coverage.

The fire is being investigated by the Essex District Attorney’s Office, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and Andover Police and Fire Departments.