Fire displaces 31 residents of Worcester apartment building

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - Worcester officials are trying to determine the cause of a fire that damaged an apartment building and displaced 31 residents.

Firefighters were called to the four-story building on West Street just before 7 a.m. Saturday and rescued a couple from their burning third-floor apartment. Investigators believe the fire began in the kitchen of the couple's home.

None of the residents were hurt, but a firefighter suffered a minor injury. A cat died in the fire.

District Chief William O'Connell told The Telegram & Gazette that the building's smoke detectors worked and probably saved lives because many building residents were sleeping at the time.

Officials say there's about $100,000 worth of damage to the building.

The American Red Cross offered help with housing and other needs to the displaced residents.

Cox Media Group