North Andover Building 'Total Loss' After Fire

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — A facility that specializes in wood and cardboard construction debris is a "total loss" and will have to be demolished after a fire Tuesday night, North Andover fire officials said. Crews worked overnight to douse the fire and they were still pouring water on the remains of the building at 9:30 Wednesday morning — 15 hours after the fire was first reported.

Fire fighters were called to the scene around 6:30 p.m. after the business closed for the day. The fire quickly grew to four alarms. Firefighters had to close a portion of Route 125 to run water lines across the state highway.

Even after the fire was contained, crews worked to douse flames under piles of construction debris. Officials continued to test air quality overnight. While the levels were ruled safe, officials said nearby residents should close windows if they smell smoke. A thick cloud of smoke still clouded the scene as of Wednesday morning.