Cause Of Avalon Oaks Fire Is Officially 'Unknown'

The investigation into the 4-Alarm fire on Feb. 8 that destroyed a 24-unit building in the Avalon Oaks complex has been completed but the cause remains unknown.

Deputy Fire Chief Rick McClellan said investigators have not determined a definitive cause for the fire, according to an article appearing on lowellsun.com.

Initial published reports indicated that the blaze, which left dozens of people homeless, may have been caused by a gas grill on a porch. However, those reports appear to have been in error.

State and local fire investigators were out at the scene last week and have now concluded their investigation. However, McClellan said a separate investigation by an insurance company may be continuing, according to the lowellsun.com article.

A Facebook Page -- www.facebook.com/FebruaryBlizzardFireVictims -- has been started to gather resources to try and help the families impacted by the fire.

One effort being featured on the page is a fund for the fire victims that has been set up at the Reading Co-Operative Bank. Those wishing to donate can send contributions to:

Reading Co-Operative Bank
Attn: Donations for the February Fire Blizzard Victims
352 Middlesex Avenue
Wilmington, MA 01887