JULY 12, 2016
PEABODY, MASS. — Black smoke was still pouring out of the one-story commercial building, filling the air, around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, nearly five hours after the fire was first reported inside the foam manufacturing business at Peabody's Centennial Business Park.
For most of the afternoon and evening, firefighters and apparatus from all over the North Shore surrounded the building at 2 Fifth St. — the headquarters for Lifoam Industries — pouring water and foam into the conflagration inside. Interior sprinklers were still operating into the evening, even as the building continued collapsing in on itself.
All available Peabody firefighters and equipment were called to the scene shortly after the fire was reported at approximately 3:24 p.m.
Thick, black smoke, could be seen billowing from all sides of the structure, as a third alarm was struck at approximately 3:54 p.m.
At one point, according to scanner reports, flames were showing from the rear of the structure and spreading up through the roof.
Fire officials at the scene Tuesday evening confirmed that all employees inside the building had been evacuated, without injury, as well as people from the surrounding businesses in the park.
Some employees, however, were apparently still inside the building around 4:18 p.m., according to scanner reports. They told firefighters they had to stay inside to monitor an ongoing mixing process. Lifoam makes foam products such as coolers and pool noodles, according to its website.
The incident was classified as a tier-two hazmat fire, according to scanner reports, and a state hazmat team did respond to the scene.
Peabody Fire Chief Steven Pasdon, however, explained the main concern was the raw materials (styrofoam and cardboard) contained in the building, not hazardous chemicals.
"We put no manpower inside the building," he said, adding that "we're always concerned about raw materials."
As of 6 p.m., Pasdon confirmed there was a partial collapse in the rear and middle of the building.
Pasdon added that, despite the despite black smoke permeating the neighborhood, he was not worried about air quality at that time.
At least 13 engines — pumpers and ladder trucks — were working the scene throughout the day. At least 40 firefighters were at the scene at one point, according to scanner reports.
The State Fire Marshal arrived at the scene shortly before 5:30 p.m.
As dusk set in, fire crews were still actively working the scene. Shortly before 9 p.m., crews were readying to breach one of the walls to gain better access to the fire, according to scanner reports.
Staff writers Taylor Rapalyea, Dustin Luca and Buck Anderson contributed to this report.
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July 12, 2016 10:02 PM
PEABODY (CBS) – Crews are searching for the cause of a massive fire at a commercial building in Peabody.
As the black, toxic smoke rolled off into the sky Tuesday afternoon, some Lifoam Industries workers wondered if their jobs might go along with it.
“What are we going to do tomorrow? Come back to work?” asked Mike, a Lifoam employee. “Or go on vacation? It’s going to beach weather tomorrow. I’m not ready for beach, I’m ready for work.”
Roughly 50 employees were inside the building on 5th Street when flames erupted in the warehouse section of the factory just before 3:30 p.m.
“One of the employees detected the fire at the same time that the alarm was sounding and the sprinkler system was coming on,” said Gerry Mata, Operations Manager at Lifoam Industries.
“Fire alarms were going off, I opened the door, saw the fire, turned around, got the hell out,” one employee told WBZ.
Thick black smoke greeted firefighters, but inside was an inferno fed by countless pallets of the Styrofoam packing material made at the building.
Concerns about toxic smoke triggered an area evacuation. The fire chief was also quick to pull his crews out of the enormous building amid fears the roof might cave in and that’s exactly what happened.
Figuring out what ignited the blaze may not be easy. “We don’t know what caused it,” Mata said. “We are very happy that everybody is accounted for.”
As the hours dragged on and the smoke continued to billow, some Lifoam workers huddled under a nearby tree pondering their future even as a company exec tried to stay positive.
“I’m hopeful that we will rebuild,” Mata said.
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WELCOME TO LIFOAM™ INDUSTRIES
RECREATIONAL PRODUCT DIVISION
Over 50 years ago, LIFOAM™ Industries, LLC created the
world's first EPS foam ice chest and with it, an entire
new industry. Through the years LIFOAM™ has expanded
our expertise in the retail market by developing a
variety of consumer products for leisure, first aid and
shipping solutions. LIFOAM™ continues its growth pattern
with new item introductions, patented product designs,
and by purchasing existing businesses incorporating
their expertise into our own.
