An early morning fire Wednesday left five families homeless — but counting their blessings that everyone escaped unscathed. The fire started in the second floor of the rear of 71 Varney and intense flames shooting 20 feet ignited a nearby home.
Wind and ice made putting the 4-alarmer out more difficult, officials said.
Related: Seven died, including 3 kids in July 2014 Lowell fire . The blaze, which started around 11 p.m. Tuesday, is under investigation and there were no injuries.
Residents of Lowell know all too well it could have been worse: Seven people died, including three children, in a fire last July at 81-85 Branch St.
The families, more than 20 people from two homes on Varney Street, were removed safely to the Senior Center in Lowell.
FIRE PHOTO: LOWELL 3rd alarm 71 Varney St MT @Robert_Mills #PFFM_ALERT pic.twitter.com/lQ4XaSo1Nn
— Fire Fighters of MA (@THE_PFFM) March 18, 2015
Four-Alarm Fire Hits Two Homes In Lowell http://t.co/xOr1BNcuEF pic.twitter.com/Q0YbuRVo8n
— WBZ Boston News (@cbsboston) March 18, 2015