Massachusetts

Cause of 6-Alarm Fire Announced

Authorities have determined the cause of a 6-alarm fire that broke out Sunday in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

More than 60 people are without a home after a massive, 6-alarm fire destroyed several multi-family buildings Sunday night in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Fire officials announced a cause late Monday afternoon, saying the flames were sparked by someone throwing out a burning cigarette onto dry grass.

Crews are now working to tear down what's left of the homes on Bennington Street. The people who once lived there say they're overwhelmed trying to figure out what's next.

"I've lived here for five years, that's what's killing me," said Eugenia Bettencourt.

Bettencourt built her life inside the first floor apartment at 131 Bennington St.

"Our clothes, furniture, pictures, my mother-in-law's stuff, a refrigerator full of food, we just went shopping," Bettencourt said.

And within seconds on Sunday afternoon, it was all gone.

"It's hard to believe, I don't believe this, I can't believe it's true, but it is," she said.

She is just one of the 64 people displaced by the fire that raged for hours, fueled by the wind, jumping from one structure to the next.

Fire Chief Brian Moriarty says the flames damaged eight buildings, three of them will be torn down, including the house where Cidalia Luis grew up.

"It has a lot of memories a lot of sentimental value," Luis said. "Losing it is like losing a part of me."

Dozens of families were left with nothing, but they are thankful everyone's lives were spared.

"If it had happened at night, it would've been a lot worse," Luis said.

Officials say the fire caused more than $1 million worth of damage.

The American Red Cross of Massachusetts is helping victims get back on their feet.

Sunday, authorities said that the fire had reached seven alarms, but Monday, the Massachusetts Fire Marshal's 

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