Cause of High Street Fire Determined to be a Lizard Tank Light

A knocked over heat lamp from a lizard tank caused Saturday’s fire at 141 High St., according to the Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit. 

While the homeowners were on vacation in Florida, the heat lamp fell on combustible material, Capt. Hank Houle told Patch.

The family rushed home to up to $300,000 worth of damage, according to The Lowell Sun.

Though the family dog, three cats and a guinea pig were saved, crews continue to search for the remains of the family’s three small lizards.

Capt. Houle told The Sun that the homeowners are working to set up a mobile home on the property so the family’s two young children will be able to attend school in a few weeks.

“It’s very sad,” Houle told The Sun. “You never get to hear the human side of something like this.”

The Lowell Sun’s full story is available online.