Massive fire hits Mass. apartment complex

PEABODY, Mass. -- A massive fire destroyed an apartment building in Peabody, but no injuries were reported.

Flames consumed the roof of the four-story building and the thick black smoke that poured from the fire could be seen from Boston, about 12 miles south.

The building is part of a larger complex named the Highlands at Dearborn, which is located near the busy junction of Route 1 and Route 128.

Fire Chief Steven Pasdon said officials were investigating whether the fire was caused by a gas leak.

The building that caught fire had 26 units, but officials ordered all the buildings evacuated for the night, displacing up to 1,000 people.

A building at Salem State College was used as a temporary shelter.

In March 2007, another fire at the complex destroyed two apartments.

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