Christmas Tree May Have Sparked Massive Lawrence Fire
LAWRENCE (CBS) – Eight people were hospitalized with minor injuries from an fire early Saturday.
Lawrence firefighters knocked down flames at a home on Lafayette Street fairly quickly, though the intense heat melted siding on four surrounding homes.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports
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"It was so hot they couldn't access the hydrant in front of the house," said neighbor Stephen Masuk.
Masuk and his family were awoken by their dog barking and were able to escape their home, which is next door to where the fire started.
"My grandma and aunt were upstairs, and they had to jump out the windows," Rose Matios told WBZ.
Matios says her family has lived in the house where the fire started for a year. Most of the large family's possessions were lost in the fire, but everyone managed to get out alive.
Matios says her 20-year-old brother was first to see the fire, near their Christmas tree at the front of the home.
Officials are still investigating the cause and have not made an official ruling yet.
A total of 17 people were burned out of two homes on the block.
The American Red Cross is helping the victims.
