Marblehead Fire Department received several calls overnight from people reporting a “strong burning smell,” from a large brush fire in Lynn Woods.
“We’re getting calls from residents wondering what the smell is,” Marblehead Fire Captain Eric Ridge told the Marblehead Current at 4 a.m.
“It’s very fine particulate matter” and not harmful, he added. Other North Shore fire departmetns are also reporting the smell.
Lynn Fire Department posted about the “extensive brush fire” on its Facebook page Friday afternoon. All Lynn fire companies were fighting the blaze. Marblehead Fire Deparmtent sent an engine to Lynn to cover one of its fire stations.
Twenty homes were threatened by the fire late Friday, with flames coming within 20 feet of homes, according to WCVB-TV. The TV station reported neighbors were grabbing garden hoses to spray flames as they approached their homes.
This is a developing story. Stay with the Current for new details.
Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist who has written hundreds of stories for local newspapers, including the Marblehead Reporter. She also works as a PR specialist.