Firefighter Injured, 8 People Displaced After Multi-Alarm Fire at Somerville Home

A multi-family home caught fire Friday in Somerville, Massachusetts, with firefighters from nearby communities coming to help put it out.

Flames ripped through the triple-decker on Temple Street, sending thick, dark smoke shooting into the air. Cambridge firefighters were among those from nearby departments who raced to Somerville.

"I came out of my apartment going to the playground and the building was up in flames. There was fire trucks everywhere,” witness Chris Evans said. "You could smell the smoke but when I came up the corner here, the flames were insane. They were just like massive.”

Firefighters were able to get the flames under control within about an hour after the fire broke out on a third-floor porch around 3:30 p.m., officials said.

“They did a fantastic job getting up in there and just opening up. It’s a tough condition with the heat today, but they did a phenomenal job,” Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Major said. “Heavy fire conditions plus the heat makes it for a tough day.”

At one point, flames and smoke billowed from several parts of the roof of the building, which firefighters sprayed with water from cranes. Aerial footage showed that parts of the top floor of the building were gutted.

One firefighter suffered minor injuries, but no residents of the building were hurt.

Eight people were displaced by the fire, and the American Red Cross of Massachusetts responded to assist them.

#GreaterBoston Red Cross responding to a MFF- Multi Family Fire in #Somerville where 8 adults and no children are reportedly displaced. We will offer comfort, financial assistance, and long-term recovery services.

— RedCrossMA (@RedCrossMA) June 18, 2021

The cause of the fire is under investigation