The first call for help went out around 2:30 p.m. to 700 Broadway Street, but the fire grew quickly. It became a three-alarm blaze within 30 minutes. Officials have not said what building is on fire or what may have caused it, but the Don Kennet Auto Body Supplies is located in that area.
A portion of the building collapsed around 3 p.m., a tweet said. Firefighters had five live firelines beating back the fire.
One firefighter was briefly trapped inside the building, but they were evacuated and treated at the scene, Lowell Fire Chief Phil Charron told reporters. There are no injuries, and investigators are piecing together what sparked the conflagration.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Middlesex and receive free news updates.