Autobody shop in Fitchburg explodes, displaces 10 to 12 people

By Derek J. Anderson, Globe Correspondent

A large explosion at a Fitchburg autobody shop Tuesday caused serious damage to nearby buildings and displaced about a dozen people, the Fire Department said.

The explosion occurred at Victory Auto Supply-Speed Shop at 214 Lunenburg St. around 5:21 p.m. Tuesday, said Fitchburg Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Curran. No one was injured in the explosion, he said.

“It was really quite a horrific blast initially, and fortunately no one was in the immediate area of the explosion,” said Curran.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation and numerous departments, including the State Fire Marshal’s office, responded to the scene Tuesday night.

After the blast, four buildings -- including the autobody shop -- were boarded up and flagged as unsafe, displacing about 10 to 12 people, he said. The Red Cross worked to find shelter for those unable to return to their homes, he said.

Other buildings in the area were also damaged by the explosion, which resulted in shattered glass and blown-out windows, Curran said.

The initial report of the incident came from a Fitchburg police detective who happened to be in the area, he said. The scene was described as a loud explosion and “a wall of flame,” said Curran.

Derek J. Anderson can be reached at derek.anderson@globe.com.