Mass. Five-Alarmer Likely Started by Kids With Lighter

LOWELL, Mass. -- A five-alarm fire that ripped through a Lower Belvidere neighborhood Friday afternoon engulfing three homes appears to have been started by children who were playing with a lighter.

Fire Chief Edward Pitta said Friday night that investigators believe the fire began in an alleyway behind a vacant home at 90 Chestnut St. and a triple-decker home at 19, 21 Willow St.

The fire spread across three homes creating a billow of smoke and flames that could be seen miles away.

The American Red Cross was assisting up to 40 residents who were displaced by the fire and who lived in nine units in the three homes, a spokesman said in an email.

The fire, which broke out about 3:30 p.m., was contained a little after 5 p.m., Deputy Fire Chief Patrick McCabe said at the scene.

Nobody was injured and everyone was accounted for, McCabe said.

Strong winds caused the fire to spread from the vacant building to two adjacent triple-decker homes, one at 84, 86 Chestnut St. and the other at 19, 21 Willow St.

Narrow pathways separate the three homes.

When firefighters arrived on scene, all three buildings were ablaze.

"The three buildings were pretty well engulfed on arrival," said McCabe. He said it appears as though there may have been a delayed alarm.

Manpower and water supply were challenges in battling the fire, McCabe said, adding that it was a tough go for the first hour or so.

"It took a while to get the manpower and supply established," he said.

Fire hoses stretched down Chestnut Street to a hydrant in front of a Lowell Housing Authority unit at 117 High St.

Crews assisted from as far away as Methuen and Nashua, according to reports.

It is still unclear how much was damaged.

A firefighter was seen by paramedics at the scene and carried away by stretcher. His condition was unclear, although he was alert.

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