LOWELL — Thick black smoke filled the sky over Downtown Lowell on Monday afternoon after a transformer box along Warren Street burst into flames.
At about 3 p.m., National Grid reported there were more than 100 customers without electricity due to the blaze.
Deputy Fire Chief Frank Kelly said at the scene that there was some sort of a fault in the electrical system in the area, causing the transformer to short out and catch fire. National Grid is investigating the cause.
No one was injured due to the incident, which drew a large crowd of spectators on Central Street. At the fire’s height, heavy flames could be seen rising from the now decimated transformer box.
Firefighters attempted to use dry chemical extinguishers to battle the blaze, but there was too much oil inside the box, according to Kelly. National Grid shut down the power supply to the transformer.
Impacted by the power outage was the Inn & Conference Center, which is serving as a shelter for migrants and the homeless. UTEC, located right across the street from the fire, was also left without power.
UTEC CEO Gregg Croteau said an explosion was heard, followed by the blaze. Out of caution, UTEC was evacuated.
Croteau said they were told National Grid would be working on the problem “throughout the night.”
Croteau praised the Lowell Fire Department, describing them as quick to respond and extremely helpful.
“We had our child care center across the street, and our staff were super helpful,” he said. “We had members of our team escorting kids out, and the fire department was great to work with.”
The Lowell Police Department closed down Warren Street, as well as Central Street, between Hurd and Market streets, while firefighters addressed the problem.
The majority of firefighters started leaving the scene at approximately 3:40 p.m.
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Aaron Curtis
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