Wind-whipped fire spreads to 2 buildings in Lowell, displaces 24 people

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LOWELL, Mass. — High winds helped to spread a fire from one house to another in Lowell Thursday night.

In addition to the wind, the bitter cold temperatures made the fire on Shaw and Arthur streets even more difficult for crews to battle with freezing hose lines and fire hydrants. Wind gusts spread the fire to two other homes, burning three in total.

Sander trucks were sent to the scene to help firefighters deal with ice that formed from the water being poured on the fire.

The Lowell fire chief told the Lowell Sun that everyone escaped the fire without injuries but about 24 people are now looking for a place to stay on Thanksgiving. The Red Cross is on scene assisting them.

He also said that one firefighter was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation but was not seriously injured.

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