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What's in a Diminuous Change?

The owner of the multi-family home at 5 Hancock St., which was destroyed by a deadly fire last December, wants to rebuild, but there's debate on whether the new house can be two stories or three.

Ten months now after the three-alarm fire at 5 Hancock St. that led to the death of Peabody firefighter James Rice, the lot where the multi-family home once stood is just empty space. The home was severely damaged in the fire and eventually torn down about two months afterward once a full investigation into the fire was completed. Owner Kenneth Louf is hoping to rebuild the home on the same footprint and recover his losses, but Louf now needs zoning relief from the city because the neighborhood is only zoned for two-family structures, which would normally house four units, not six. Under most circumstances, state law allows a building destroyed by fire to be rebuilt on the same footprint even if the size of the structure is out of …

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Brooksby Village Raises Over $14K for December Fire Victims

Brooksby Village residents raised funds for families displaced in Hancock Street Fire and temporarily housed two of them.

[The following press release was submitted by Brooksby Village.] People who live at Brooksby Village came together and raised more than $14,000 for the families who lost their homes in the December fire in Peabody. Two of the displaced families stayed at Brooksby Village while they looked for new places to live. “More than 1,700 people call Brooksby Village and the city of Peabody their home,” said Jim Wingardner, Executive Director, Brooksby Village. “When we first heard about the fire, we immediately contacted the mayor’s office to see if we could offer any of our guest rooms to the displaced families. When word spread throughout the campus that two moved in temporarily, we were bombarded with residents making donations. People who live …

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Letter to the Editor

LETTER: City, FD Thank All for 'Outpouring' of Support After Firefighter's Death

Fire Department and city says thanks, especially to Peabody community, for "quick, compassionate and caring" response in wake of Firefighter James Rice's death in the line of duty.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. On Dec. 23, 2011, we tragically lost our beloved brother Firefighter James Rice in the line of duty. Our efforts immediately concentrated on caring for Jim’s wife, Amy, and their three children: Alyssa, Katelyn, and Ryan. The Rice family provided amazing strength to us during this time. As news of Jim’s passing spread across our fine city, the residents of Peabody united in strength. Immediately there was an outpouring of support at the fire stations. Donations to the Rice family and those affected by the fire at 5 Hancock St. streamed into the stations, banks and credit unions opened funds to support those in need, and businesses collected items and donated funds. Signs and banners decorated our …

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City Disperses $15K to Families Displaced by Fire

The six families displaced by the Hancock Street fire last month have each received $2,500 from a relief fund set up by the city.

Mayor Ted Bettencourt's office says a relief fund set up for 12 residents displaced by the deadly fire at 5 Hancock St. last month has brought in more than $15,000. Each of the six families were invited to City Hall on Thursday to retreive checks for $2,500 each. As of Jan. 6, the account balance was $15,473.21. “Thanks to generous donations from Peabody residents and members of our business community, those displaced by last month’s tragedy have received financial assistance to help ease their transition and hopefully lessen their burden to some degree,” Bettencourt said in a statement. The remaining $473.21 will be dispersed in a final payment after the account closes in 90 days. Until then, additional donations are still being accepted…

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Fire Victim Names Baby in Honor of Fallen Firefighter

Baby girl named in honor of fallen firefighter Jim Rice. Rice family says they're honored; Bella has big shoes to fill.

One bright point in connection with the tragic events of Dec. 23 that cost Peabody Firefighter James Rice his life, was news last week of the safe and healthy delivery of a baby girl to Lisa Jaber. Jaber, 34, and her eight-year-old daughter Jayla were two of the 12 residents who lost their home and all their possessions in the three-alarm fire at 5 Hancock St. Jaber was also 38 weeks pregnant at the time. Jaber gave birth to her Bella Jaber on Tuesday at Beverly Hospital. Bella was 7 pounds and 9 ounces. Deeply touched by Rice's death battling the blaze that destroyed her home, Jaber decided to honor the fallen firefighter and his family with Bella's middle name -- Rice. In an interview with the Boston Globe, Jaber said she did it because…

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Investigation Finds Cause of Deadly Three-Alarm Fire Was Electrical

Officials said Wednesday that an investigation into the fire at 5 Hancock St. has confirmed the three-alarm blaze was caused by an electrical problem in one apartment.

[Editor's Note: The article has been updated to reflect a correction. Fire officials have only stated that Firefighter James Rice appeared to have inhaled toxic fumes in the fire.] Days after 42-year-old Peabody firefighter James Rice was laid to rest in Cedar Grove Cemetery, local and state officials say they have concluded their joint investigation and determined the cause of the three-alarm fire Rice died battling on Dec. 23. An announcement was released by state Fire Marshal Stephen Coan's office on Wednesday, confirming accounts of those inside the multi-family home during the fire that the blaze was sparked by an electrical problem. Coan and Fire Chief Steven Pasdon announced earlier that arson had been ruled out. Coan and other …

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One Family Displaced by Deadly Fire Aims to Get Life Back on Track

Lisa Jaber, 34, who is 39 weeks pregnant and lost her home and all her possessions in the deadly Hancock Street fire, says she hopes to find an apartment again soon for her family and get life back on track.

Rice Remembered as True Hero, Friend Who Gave Life His All

Thousands of mourners, including firefighters from across the country, gathered in Downtown Peabody Friday morning to pay their last respects to Firefighter James Rice.

The city turned out en masse Friday morning to remember fallen Peabody Firefighter James Rice, who died in the line of duty Dec. 23, just one week earlier. Rice, 42, was killed fighting a three-alarm house fire at 5 Hancock St. He leaves behind his wife Amy and their three children: Alyssa, Katelyn and Ryan. It was a somber scene along Lowell Street -- the only audible sounds among the several thousand people and firefighters lining either side of the street those of camera shutters clicking and helicopters circling overhead. A hundred or so bagpipers and drummers broke the silence, beginning began to play as the funeral procession entered Peabody Square just before 9:30 a.m. Firefighters held their salute as the procession passed by …

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