Lowell, MA 3rd Alarm - 392 Bridge St - 5/19/16

Just after 5am, Lowell Fire Alarm began receiving multiple calls reporting a building fire in the vicinity of 392 Bridge St right outside downtown Lowell across the Merrimack River.

Engines 3, 4 and 6, Ladder 4, Rescue 1 and the Deputy were dispatched and on scene within minutes. Engine 6 and Ladder 4 arrived first to find Delicias Paisas Bakery, a single story 50x100 masonry commercial building with heavy fire showing.

The fire had spread thru-out the building and was threatening two 3 story taxpayers which sat on either side of the fire building. A second alarm was transmitted bringing an additional 2 engines and a ladder to the scene. Firefighters were forced into a defensive posture due to the heavy volume of fire and already compromised roof in danger of collapsing. Needing additional manpower, a third alarm was requested which brought Lowell's remaining companies to the scene while mutual aid began to arrive in the city from the 2nd alarm coverage request.

It took fire crews almost 2 hours to bring the fire under control and due to their hard work and incredible effort, both exposure buildings received a good amount of cosmetic damage but very minor considering what could have easily turned into a 3 building fire. Kudos to LFD!!! The fire at this point, while still under investigation, is believed to be accidental. Officials believe the fire was caused by a deep fryer used by an employee opening the building for the day.