One killed in three-alarm fire at North Attleborough apartment building

By Alli Knothe, Globe Correspondent

A three-alarm fire at an apartment building in North Attleborough Sunday night killed one man, seriously injured a woman, and displaced 18 people, officials said.

Firefighters responded at about midnight to a blaze in an eight-unit apartment building on Chestnut Street, said Fire Chief Peter Lamb.

“Almost the entire second floor was in flames when we arrived,” he said.

He estimated that the fire took about 40 minutes to get under control.

Lamb said the victims were found in an apartment on the second floor, where the fire started. The man was not taken to the hospital; the woman was taken to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. Lamb provided no further information about them.

Officials are assessing the building’s condition today and determining whether it can be repaired.

“At this point, there is heavy, heavy damage,” said Lamb.

Red Cross representatives are assisting the 18 residents.

Authorities are investigating the fire’s cause.