Fire hydrants, heat pose challenges as fire tears through city block

LAWRENCE, Mass. —

Faulty equipment and a heat wave posed challenges as firefighters battled a massive five-alarm fire that tore through a city block in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on Tuesday night.

Firefighters responded to the scene after receiving multiple 911 calls that several explosions were reported at five buildings on the 300 block of Lowell Street , Lawrence Fire Chief Pat Delaney said.

All buildings impacted by the fire were multi-family homes. A restaurant located on the first floor of one of the homes also suffered fire damage.

A number of firefighters were taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion. The fire hydrants were another challenge for fire crews. Cell phone video showed at least one not working right next to the scene.

Firefighters had to lay down thousands of feet