UPDATE: Two-Alarm Fire Doused at Downtown Tannery

Peabody fire officials report that the two-alarm fire at a downtown tannery this afternoon has been safely extinguished and without any injuries.

The responded to Travel Leather Company at 39 Wallis St. at 12:09 p.m. with all companies in tow on a report of a fire inside the factory.

The three-floor factory, which is one of the last operating tanneries in Peabody, is situated at the corner of Upton Street and just off Walnut Street -- the building spreads across 1-1/2 acres. Travel Leather processes leather on-site for various products, including leather jackets, pants, saddlebags and wallets.

Deputy Chief Paul Hinchion said firefighters were greeted with "heavy smoke" upon arriving at the scene, but there were no flames visible outside. "We didn't realize the roof was on fire at the same time," he said.

The initial fire inside the building was knocked down quickly, but firefighters found fire in the walls, which extended up toward the roof, and spent some time hosing down the roof and any hotspots in the walls.

Hinchion said all companies were recalled from the scene at 1:50 p.m.

He said the fire started in a buffing box, which is where dust collects from various pieces of equipment in operation at the facility. From there, the fire spread up a large HVAC exhaust pipe toward the roof.

Hinchion said factory employees already had a hose on the buffing box when firefighters arrived.

Due to the extension of the fire, the entire building was evacuated. Hinchion said there were about 30 workers inside.

"It was a very good save by all," Hinchion said.

Due to the heat -- the thermostat this afternoon hit 80 degrees -- cool mist fans were set up to help cool the firefighters off. An ambulance was also on stand by should anyone need treatment.

Both the building commissioner and fire inspectors checked out the scene before all the companies were relieved, and did not report any immediate safety concerns, according to Hinchion. He said the buffing box was damaged along with some plywood in the walls and roof.

Hinchion said the department has not had very many fires or safety issues at the factory in the past.

Lynn, Lynnfield and Salem fire departments were called in to cover the Peabody stations.