LOWELL, MASS. (WHDH) - A massive tree fell across a busy roadway in Lowell on Wednesday morning, ripping down wires and knocking out power to thousands of residents.
Hildreth Street near Richardson Street and Bunker Hill will be impassable until further notice as crews work to remove the tree and repair the damaged power lines.
“I ran outside and all the telephone poles were snapping and transformers were blowing up,” neighborhood resident Robert Laurent said. “It was crazy.”
About 3,000 customers were without power in the Centralville area around 10:30 a.m., according to Lowell Emergency Management.
National Grid has since restored power to all affected customers.
The tree was said to be rotted and hollow on the inside.
Lowell Fire Chief Phillip Charron says he believes the heavy rain this month caused the tree to fall.
“We’re very lucky that it didn’t involve any people or vehicles,” Charron said.
The tree was inspected in May 2020 and it was found to be healthy.
This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.
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