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2 Injured, 6 Homeless After Leominster Fire

LEOMINSTER (CBS) -- An early morning fire left two people hurt and six people homeless in Leominster.

Heavy smoke and fire coming from the Lincoln Terrance home made it difficult for firefighters to control the blaze. Part of the roof also collapsed.

One person living inside the house and a responding firefighter suffered minor injuries.

leominster fire
Two people were hurt in the fire at this home on Lincoln Terrace in Leominster. (Courtesy photo)

"It was an absolutely, fully-involved house," said neighbor Steven McNally, who witnessed the fire. "You saw flames shooting, 15, 20, 30-feet out of the top of the roof. You saw flames shooting out of the windows. The firefighters, they did a fantastic job of trying to knock it down as fast as they could. But as fast as they could knock it down, the flames were coming back up again."

McNally said he believes the house is a total loss. He is personally helping out his neighbors by taking care of a dog who lived in the home.

Glevison Leit was inside the home when the fire broke out. "Me and my wife just fell asleep and my neighbor here knocked on my door. They said the house is on fire," Leit said.

He's referring to Kevin Roper, who helped alert people to the fire. "I was lying down watching TV and I saw this orange-reddish glow through my window," said Roper. "It was instinct, I mean, I know there's six people in there. The building is on fire. Anyone would do that."

kevin
Kevin Rosier helped alert his neighbors to a fire (WBZ-TV)

A fundraiser has been created by the Leominster Mayor's Office to support the victims, who are currently being cared for by the Red Cross.

Those wishing to help can donate to "Leominster Fire Fund", c/o Mayor's office, 25 West Street, Leominster, MA 01453, said a representative from the mayor's office.

It is not clear what started the fire. The Leominster Fire Department, Leominster Police, and State Police are investigating.

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