Fire tears through several homes in Waltham, displacing 15+ people on Thanksgiving

A nightmare unfolded in Waltham, Massachusetts, after a fire broke out on Thanksgiving and spread to several nearby homes.

The Waltham Fire Department says they encountered heavy fire when they responded to the blaze that was reported around 5:15 p.m. on the back deck of a two-family home at 904-906 Moody Street.

Due to the close proximity of the surrounding homes, a second building in the back caught on fire at 11 Underwood Park, and two other surrounding buildings were affected, as well. Two of the homes suffered extensive damage.

All occupants were alerted by smoke detectors, the fire department said.

Residents who had evacuated were reporting there were people trapped on the third floor, and more firefighters were called in to help with search and rescue.

A fire official on scene told NBC10 Boston that they had to help evacuate a handicap resident.

According to the fire department, one resident was taken to the hospital as a precaution, and one firefighter was injured and evaluated on scene.

It took about an hours for crews to get the fire under control. The fire chief on scene said firefighters did an unbelievable job.

Residents in the area, who gathered for hours along Moody Street, told NBC10 Boston that they heard a loud bang and found flames engulfing several homes. Just as families were sitting down for a turkey dinner, the fire sent them running for the streets.

Michaela Koller thought she heard an explosion, saying, "I heard a really loud bang up on the third floor and looked out the window and there was a huge fire on the opposite house.”

Once she saw the flames, Koller grabbed her dog "Midnight" and ran out of her home.

Pritpal Saini, who lives at 11 Underwood Park, says he saw the flames and immediately called 911.

His neighbor, Meed Padel, says the fire spread to his home, and he also described hearing the sound of an explosion.

“I heard the big noise and I just see from the front side there is a big fire happen back side,” Padel said.

At least 15 people were displaced by the holiday blaze.

"I’m just crying cause it’s very sad and to witness all of this is a lot,” Melody García said.

An investigation into the fire and its cause is ongoing.