A wind-fueled inferno tore through a residential stretch of Lowell on Tuesday afternoon, sending a towering column of smoke over the city and triggering a massive response from firefighters. Neighbors shot video of flames chewing across rooftops while ladder trucks and engines crowded the narrow streets, racing to keep the blaze from jumping to nearby homes.
Lowell police urged drivers to steer clear of Bridge Street between 6th and Willard streets because of road closures, according to NBC10 Boston. Flames were seen tearing from the roof of a two-story building as crews blasted water from the street and elevated positions, the outlet reported.
Two houses ablaze several blocks apart
Sky5 aerial footage and station reports showed a major fire burning at 34 May Street while a second house was on fire at 855 Bridge Street, just a short stretch away, according to WCVB. In video sent to the station, residents could be seen sprinting out of backyards as flames ripped through the front of the Bridge Street home.
Wind made the scene more dangerous
The National Weather Service Boston/Norton had a Wind Advisory in effect Tuesday, warning of southwest gusts up to 40 to 50 mph, conditions that can quickly spread fire and make a tough job even tougher for crews on the ground. Strong gusts were clearly visible in aerial video and appeared to play a role in how fast the flames moved through the neighborhood.
As of Tuesday evening it was not yet known whether anyone had been hurt, and officials had not released any information on a possible cause, according to NBC10 Boston. Lowell police and fire personnel stayed on scene to lock down the area while teams checked nearby homes for heat and smoke damage.
What officials say will come next
Investigators are expected to comb through the wreckage once the site is considered safe, and city leaders said more details would be shared as they become available, according to WCVB. Fire crews remained in the area into the evening, chasing down hotspots and clearing out lingering hazards left behind by the fast-moving blaze.
