Fire spreads through Centralville neighborhood

A wind-driven blaze damaged six homes in Lowell on Tuesday and displaced more than two dozen residents as the fire spread quickly uphill through the Centralville area.

The fire started at 867 Bridge St., a four-unit building, and spread toward homes on Wachusett and May streets before emergency crews could contain it.

Lowell Fire Chief Phillip Charron said dry conditions and strong winds created dangerous circumstances that could have consumed more than the six homes ultimately damaged.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Families launch fundraising campaigns

Four GoFundMe campaigns have been launched by affected families to help with immediate needs and recovery efforts.

The De Leon Fallon family lost their home at 867 Bridge St., where they lived for years. Cara Fallon wrote in their fundraiser that the family made it out safe but were shaken and displaced.

Their fundraiser had raised $16,126 toward a $20,000 goal as of Saturday.

Lowell High teacher among displaced households

Another displaced household belongs to Lowell High School math teacher Samnang Hor.

Students and colleagues organized a fundraiser for Hor, who has been a steady presence at the school for the past decade and serves as Vice President for the Lowell Youth Leadership Program.

Their fundraiser had raised $16,216 toward a $12,000 goal as of Saturday.

Homeowner who grew up in the house lost everything

Julie Reyes lost the home she grew up in along with her siblings.

She wrote in her fundraiser that her parents worked for years to build a stable life for her and her siblings, but the fire erased decades of belongings and memories in minutes.

Her fundraiser had raised $6,385 toward a $15,000 goal as of Saturday.

Family lived in Bridge Street home for more than 12 years

Christian Castillo spoke with reporters the day of the fire and described his family's escape.

His family lived in their Bridge Street home for more than 12 years, including his sister with Down syndrome who relied on the comfort and routine of that space.

He said they lost photos and history they carried, as well as their two cats.

His fundraiser had raised $3,096 toward a $4,000 goal as of Saturday.

"Today, our lives changed in an instant," Reyes said. "The house I grew up in, the place where so many memories were made. Everything we've known, everything we've built over the years, is suddenly gone."

"One moment everything was normal, and the next, we were standing outside watching everything change," Castillo said. "Not only did we lose photos and history we carried, but we also lost our two cats."

"Things most of us don't even think twice about having every day are now things we have to start over and replace from scratch," Castillo said.