5 Family Members Among 7 Killed in Fire

Five family members are among those who died in a Lowell, Massachusetts, apartment building fire Thursday morning that killed seven people.

Torn Sak and Torn's longtime companion, Ellen Vuong, perished in the blaze, along with three of the couple's children, a 7-year-old girl, a 9-year-old boy and a 12-year-old boy, according to Sak's brother, Thearan Sak.

Sak says his brother's other two sons managed to escape. The uncle and boyfriend of 36-year-old Tina Christakos confirm she is also a victim, and Christakos boyfriend says their longtime roommate, 76-year-old Bob Down, also died in the fire.

Fire officials have said the building on Branch Street had no sprinkler system because it was built in 1890 and was not required to have one.

They said they are still unsure at this time whether or not fire alarms in the building sounded.

Lowell Mayor Rodney Elliott confirms there was a large amount of fireworks in an apartment, citing video of them going off during the fire.

The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation. Meanwhile, city officials say the building passed inspection, although questions about the status of the 9-unit wooden structure's alarm system remain.

The American Red Cross is helping to assist those displaced by the fire.

Authorities say 54 people from nine families lived in the building, which sustained heavy damage.

The nearest fire station to the apartment building is just 100 yards away.

"It's a tragic day for the city of Lowell," Mayor Elliott said.

A Branch Street fire fund has been set up. Donations can be sent to the Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union.

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