Firefighters from 10 departments responded with firefighters and equipment to a blaze that destroyed a three-story apartment building at 206 Cumberland Street in Rumford on Saturday. Extra manpower was requested from Bethel and Newry.

RUMFORD — Firefighters from 10 departments are on scene at a blaze that engulfed a three-story apartment building at 206 Cumberland St. Saturday afternoon.

The 9-1-1 call came in around 12:30 p.m. with a report of flames shooting out of a second-story window.

As fire trucks raced to the scene, large plumes of smoke could already be seen from Memorial Bridge. The fire quickly shot through the roof of the building.

Walter Fish, Jr. was visiting the residents on the first floor of the building when he heard the smoke alarms go off.

“People were screaming, ‘Fire!’ I ran to get out kids and cats. I banged on the door where one guy was asleep. He didn’t want to get up but I grabbed him and said, ‘We’ve got to get out.'”

By that time, the smoke had become too thick and Fish had to vacate the building.

Rumford, Mexico, Dixfield and Peru responded with firefighters and equipment. Extra manpower and equipment was later requested from Bethel, Newry, Andover, Woodstock, Canton and Greenwood.

The large contingent of onlookers was driven from the scene at one point by the heavy smoke. Many of them were coughing as they made their up to Waldo Street.

A request was made to have the Red Cross respond to the scene to assist people who were living in the building.

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Firefighters from 10 departments responded with firefighters and equipment to a blaze that destroyed a three-story apartment building at 206 Cumberland Street in Rumford on Saturday.

Walter Fish, Jr., left, who was visiting on the first floor when the fire broke out Saturday at 206 Cumberland St. in Rumford, talks with Rumford Fire Lt. Keith Bickford.