Off-duty Nahant firefighter credited with saving residents from 3-alarm Lynn blaze

LYNN, MASS. (WHDH) - An off-duty Nahant firefighter sprang into action Wednesday morning when he noticed a home in Lynn was on fire.

Firefighter Robert Barreda was driving down Essex Street around 9 a.m. when he noticed a triple-decker going up in flames, according to Nahant Fire Chief Michael Feinberg, who said Barreda stopped his vehicle and ran into the building to make sure everyone made it out safely.

Thanks to his actions, six adults and seven children safely evacuated the home.

“Because of Firefighter Barreda’s quick actions and bravery, no one was injured in the fire and firefighters were able to get to the building quickly in order to prevent more damage from being done,” Feinberg wrote in a statement. “On behalf of the Nahant Fire Department, I would like to commend Firefighter Barreda for his lifesaving actions today.”

Crews responding to 56 Essex St. around 9 a.m. found heavy fire and thick smoke coming from the third floor of the home.

Video from the scene showed flames quickly engulf the rear quarter of the building.

At least two adjacent buildings appeared to have sustained fire damage, according to Lynn Fire Chief Stephen Archer.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

This is a developing story; stay with 7News on air and online for the latest updates.

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