By: Aaron Curtis
Source: The Sun, Lowell, Mass.
Jun. 4—LOWELL — A four-alarm fire that swept through a three-story mixed-use building at 337-349 Westford St. late Saturday morning left more than 30 people displaced.
Fire Chief Phil Charron said tenants escaped the burning building unharmed, while a firefighter suffered a shoulder injury while battling the flames.
Charron said firefighters arrived on scene about 10:45 a.m. to find smoke billowing out of the eastern section of the building's first floor.
"(The fire) very rapidly got into the apartments above and then into the space between the third floor and the roof," Charron said.
A fourth alarm was called shortly before 12:40 p.m.
With the conditions inside the structure growing to treacherous levels, firefighters were forced to evacuate the building.
"When the fire conditions get really bad inside the building and we have a concern, firefighters go defensive and everyone gets pulled out of the building," Charron said. "We check and make sure we have everyone there and we adjust tactics."
He said firefighters used ladder pipes on two ladder trucks to knock down the heavy flames before returning to fight the flames from the inside.
Charron described the damage done by the blaze as "significant," particularly on the eastern section of the building.
"People will not be coming back to this building for awhile," Charron said.
The building includes 12 residential units and six businesses. According to Charron, at least 33 people were displaced by the blaze, with a potential total as high as 35.
San Sam lives in an apartment on the second floor of the building, located directly above Tony's Convenience, at 349 Westford St. He stood outside the decimated building with his brother-in-law, Adam Pril, observing the damage done on Saturday afternoon.
"I'm wearing whatever I have right now," Sam said. "I'm basically homeless."
Sam, 42, lives in the apartment with his 62-year-old mother and his younger brother.
Sam recalled waking up to the fire alarm. His mother then spotted smoke rising from the floor. They safely evacuated the building.
"I walked across the street and I saw the apartment was on fire," Sam said.
While standing near the police tape surrounding the structure, Sam expressed feeling "numb." According to Sam, it has been a rough couple months that have included his car dying and then getting laid off from his job.
"And now I have no home," he said.
Charron said several surrounding departments provided mutual aid. He added the source of the fire and its cause are under investigation.
The American Red Cross was on scene offering assistance to those impacted by the fire.
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