Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey has asked the U. S. Small Business Administration for assistance in the form of SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Essex County to help those businesses destroyed by a fire at Post Office Square on Sept. 10.
“The fire that struck an important commercial property in our community was a terrible loss for the owner, the hard-working small business people and our community as a whole,” Town Adminstrator Rob Dolan said. “We are happy to hear that the state has gotten involved to help rebuild and the town will continue to work hand in hand with the owner to make this rebuild a reality.”
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) said Monday that the “widespread destruction has resulted in a significant loss of livelihood for the business owners.
“Last month’s Post Office Square fire caused extensive damage to several local businesses, with many of them suffering a complete loss. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the fire,” Jones said. “With the assistance of Small Business Administration loans, these business owners will be able to start the rebuilding process and begin recovering from this devastating loss. I know the entire Lynnfield community is behind them as they seek to move on from this terrible event.”
In an Oct. 23 letter written to SBA Director Edward Fears at the Office of Disaster Recovery & Field Operations Center East in Atlanta, Georgia, Healey noted that the six-alarm fire destroyed a strip mall occupied by five businesses, “requiring it to be torn down and rebuilt” and that “approximately 36 employees were impacted by this fire.” She said it is “estimated” to take a minimum of one year to rebuild and reopen the businesses.
“A survey of these affected businesses was conducted to determine the economic impact of their losses, for the disaster period as compared to the same period in the preceding year,” Healey wrote. “Based upon these surveys, I certify that at least five small businesses in the disaster area have suffered substantial economic injury as a result of the disaster and are in need of financial assistance not otherwise available on reasonable terms.
The fire began sometime after 9 p.m. with firefighters responding at approximately 9:30 p.m. who found the smoke and flames coming out of the roof. The combined efforts of various fire departments stopped the fire at the Bank of America, but were unable to save the rest of the building that housed the Old Towne Market, Dunkin’, Cervizzi’s Martial Art Academy, Fitness Together and Wal’s Cleaners. Police Chief Glenn Davis said there were no injuries to any civilians or firefighters, who were on the scene working to put out the fire until around 4 a.m. the next day.
“We are grateful to have such a dedicated partner in the Healey-Driscoll Administration,” said Sen. Brendan P. Crighton (D-Lynn). “While this fire was devastating for the business owners affected, we are hopeful this request will be successful and the federal assistance will provide the support they need to accelerate their plans to rebuild.”
