Fire Damages Leominster Landmark

Two Leominster firefighters were injured while battling a fire that tore through the old Columbia Hotel in downtown Leominster, severely damaging the building.

Fire Chief Robert Sidleau says the two men were in a bucket on a ladder truck when a wall collapsed on them. He says medics who took the two to the hospital said they thought the firefighters would recover from their injuries.

The building houses 20 apartment units, and Chief Sidleau says everyone made it out of the building safely when the fire began late last night.

Firefighters from more than a dozen communities were called in to help battle the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The building also houses businesses on the first floor.