Multiple Dramatic Rescues During Fatal 3-Alarm Fire In Lowell

LOWELL, MA — Police caught a baby and a mother as they jumped from a burning building, and braved thick smoke and intense heat to rescue a couple and their child early Wednesday morning during a three-alarm fire that killed a 77-year-old man and sent three others to the hospital.

Just after 3 a.m. Wednesday someone reported a fire on Westford Street. More than 15 hours later investigators were still attempting to gain safe access to an area damaged by the fire, according to a joint statement by Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey, Lowell Fire Chief Phil Charron, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Lowell Police Superintendent Kelly Richardson.

The tragic fire was marked by heroism, officials said.

“Today’s fire is a tragedy for the victims, their friends and family and all those who have been displaced during a time when many in our communities are already struggling," said Ryan. "I am grateful for the brave and quick actions of the members of the Lowell Police and Fire departments who responded this morning and showed great courage in acting, no doubt, to save the lives of multiple residents."

Lowell police officer Walter Varey was the first to the fire and was met with heavy smoke and flames coming from the building. Multiple people made it out, but there were still several people inside. Varey could hear screams coming from the second floor and rushed inside to help, but was forced to craw because of the thick smoke, officials said.

He found a couple and a child upstairs, carried the child downstairs. He then turned around and rushed back up to help the couple escape amid the heavy smoke and heat, as officers Andres Bolivar and Matthew Trani also rushed in to help.

Outside, more police arrived and officers Leang Chhor and Joshua Delisle saw a woman holding a baby in a second floor window as smoke poured out around her.

The officers told the woman to drop the baby to them, which she did, and they were able to catch the baby safely, according to police.

The mother then jumped from the window and Chhor and officer Warren Greenhalgh caught her.

Lowell firefighters arrived next and were then able to continue evacuation of the building and nearby buildings, when the fire extended to them. Officials are not releasing the name of the 77-year-old man who died in the fire. Two women and one man, were transported to Boston hospitals with serious injuries, according to authorities. More than 25 residents are displaced.

Richardson commended the officers for their quick response to the fire.

"These officers placed themselves in harm’s way in attempt to save as many people as they could," Richardson said. "I am relieved that the officers were not seriously injured; this could have been much more of a tragedy. They put their lives on the line as they continued to enter the building. I am personally proud of the officers’ actions, which are in line with who our members are and the risks that they will take to ensure lives are saved. We are lucky to have them and many like them as members of our PD."

Charron said the weather and the positioning of the building made it difficult conditions for his crews.

"Fire department members worked hard in very cold weather conditions to, not only save lives, but also keep fire from extending beyond the fire building and its adjacent exposures,"Charron said.