The Lowell Sun

LOWELL - Two people were killed in an early morning fire at an apartment on Bridge Street that left one other person in critical condition and sent several more people to the hospital.


The state Fire Marshall's Office is working with the Lowell Fire Department to determine what caused the 4 a.m. blaze, which destroyed the 120-year-old building on the corner of Bridge and Second streets and left the occupants of 15 apartments homeless.

One person died at the scene. Deputy Fire Chief Robert Flynn said the second body of an unidentified male was found on the building's fourth-floor at about 1 p.m. Sunday.

Another resident who was injured after jumping from a fourth-floor window was still said to be in critical condition Sunday afternoon at a Boston hospital.

Tenants of the building told a Sun reporter that the third-floor hallway of the building was fully engulfed by flames, leaving no chance for escape.

Three other residents who were transported to area hospitals were treated and released. Two firefighters were also transported to the hospital due to smoke inhalation and back injuries suffered in their effort to save one of the residents.

The firefighters' injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, Flynn said.

The identities of the victims were unable to be released at this time.

Red Cross Emergency Director Debbie Duxbury said 17 people were left homeless as a result of the fire. All are temporarily staying with friends and relatives.

Three families that live in the building were on vacation, and two were still unable to be reached by Sunday afternoon, Duxbury added.

The Red Cross has assisted the building's tenants with aid for clothing, food and shoes, as well as medical and counseling needs.


Duxbury said the people who lived in the building were either elderly or young adults in their early 20s.

Copyright 2010 MediaNews Group, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
October 10, 2010