2-Alarm Fire In Waltham Displaces Several

WALTHAM, MA — Firefighters have put out a two-alarm fire at an apartment building on Kings Way near the corner of Lincoln Street. There were no injuries, but residents from about eight units were displaced Wednesday night, according to the Deputy Fire Chief Richard Grant.

A fire was reported around 5:45 p.m. when they arrived, firefighters saw heavy smoke coming from the attic. They started by focusing water into the attic and then had to open up part of the roof. Neighbors say the complex just finished replacing the roof last week.

Firefighters made quick work of the fire, according to Grant. Still, they evacuated the entire building, which houses several units. There's no word on when residents will be able to return.

Grant said he can't speculate on what caused the fire, but it came during a thunderstorm, and several neighbors reported lightning.

Dan Bell who lives down the street said he heard it.

"We heard a big crash, and the lights dimmed and then everything went out, " he said.

Bell said the lightning was obviously close and caused a power surge for the area, damaging all of the electronics in his home.

It was similar for those who live in the building where the attic caught fire.

"Lightning struck and it sounded like a car crash outside the building," said Brian Lubing, who has lived here since 2015.

"We lost power, and a couple minutes later the fire alarm went off. We weren't sure if it was lightning causing a surge or if there was an actual fire, so we came outside to check."

That's when he saw the smoke and called 911.

Tonight he'll have to stay in a hotel somewhere, he said.

Bell and Lubing said firefighters were there within minutes.

Grant said the fire was reported at 5:43 p.m. and by 7 p.m. the fire was out. By 8 p.m. the smell of smoke still hung in the air as crews were preparing to leave.

Around the same time Wednesday evening firefighters got a call about a fire near the corner of Trapelo Road and Pine Vale Road, where it looked like a telephone pole may have been struck by lightning. It's not clear if there are any injuries there.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).