Three people were injured Monday in a blaze involving multiple buildings in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
The fire was reported just before 3 p.m. on Granfield Street, according to fire officials.
The fire quickly spread to the multi-unit home next door, and both buildings sustained heavy damage.
"Within five minutes, boom, the whole house was just on fire," said one witness.
Those inside were forced to race out, and Salvador Figueroa was salvaging what he could Monday night.
"It is pretty horrible when you don't have a place to stay."
District Fire Chief Scott Kruger says when he arrived to the scene, it was very chaotic.
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Aerial footage from NBC10 Boston's Sky Ranger helicopter showed heavy smoke and flames pouring from the buildings. Three ladder trucks were used to help extinguish the fire.
Firefighters rushed into both buildings to make sure everyone was out before having to retreat because the fire was just too intense.
"In a very rapid fashion, within less than a minute, there was a huge volume of fire," Kruger said.
"My daughter, my daughter had a little smoke," said Figueroa.
As firefighters worked into the evening to knock the fire down, Figueroa and his neighbors are now forced to figure out their next move.
"I cried for a little bit because unfortunately even if it is a little bit that you have, you lose everything."
Kruger said the three injuries do not appear to be serious.
Investigators were focused on the back of the house Monday night, though there has been no word on a cause.
The fire remains under investigation.
