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Huge Fire Forces Evacuation Of Tyngsboro Apartments

TYNGSBORO (CBS) – A wind-whipped fire has spread from a Tyngsboro garage onto the roof of a nearby apartment complex.

Flames broke out at a trucking company on Dunstable Road on Thursday afternoon.

tyngsboro fire
The apartment building on Dunstable Road in Tyngsboro was evacuated. (Image credit: David Robichaud - WBZ-TV News)

Explosions could be heard in the area, and within a short time flames could be seen on the apartment building's roof.

Police were evacuating residents from the building.

Heavy smoke could be seen throughout the area.

Residents told WBZ-TV's David Robichaud there may have been gas cans in the garage where the fire started.

tyngsboro fire
Strong winds fueled the fire on Dunstable Road in Tyngsboro. (WBZ-TV)

When fire fighters arrived, flames had already engulfed a large wooded area  and thick black smoke was rising hundreds of feet into the air

Then came the explosions.

The blaze had started at the constantine trucking company

The fire chief explained what caused the blasts.

"This is a construction company, so there were different fuel tanks and vehicles with fuel tanks and large tires, all of which will explode," Fire Chief Wes Russell said.

Because of the high winds, the flames quickly spread to the roof of the Pine Knoll Apartments

Tyngsboro Police rushed through the smoke to evacuate residents.

"We're guessing 50 -75 people evacuated, not as many people because it's a work day," Police Chief Richard Howe said.

Resident Rich Williams was in his apartment and got out on his own.

"I looked out the window at the house next door. Flames coming out of it. And it started to spread to the woods out back. I got outta there," Williams said.

WBZ learned the owners of Contstantine Trucking lost an entire building and nearly the house they live in.

"Family business here. It's been here for a few generations. They've been involved in the community for a long time. We're just going to work with them and try to make sure we understand what happened and see what we can do for them," Tyngsboro town administrator Curt Bellavance said.

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