A large fire broke out Saturday afternoon at a home in South Boston and spread to another next-door.
The Boston Fire Department says the blaze broke out in the back of 587 East Broadway around 2 p.m. and extended to the adjacent building.
More firefighters were called in to help fight the flames, and they were able to stop the spread to other nearby homes. Fire crews were rotated in and out to battle the flames on a hot day in the city, the fire department said.
Photos posted on the fire department's social media pages show bright orange flames shooting out from the roof, with thick, black smoke billowing into the sky.
Wild cellphone video shows a roof deck and part of the roof itself on fire. It was a shock for tenants inside, neighbors and onlookers.
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Deputy Chief Steven Shaffer says there were no injuries. One woman was taken to the hospital for a medical condition unrelated to the fire.
Firefighters and neighbors say this situation could have been a lot worse if first responders didn't get to the scene so quickly.
"A lot of fire engines, a lot of police," one man said. "The fire department responds very, very quickly, and I don't know, I just hope for the best."
"Could've been a lot worse," he added." I mean, look how close the buildings are together. You know? You get one going up and pretty soon you got the whole block."
Eight residents were displaced, and the American Red Cross of Massachusetts will help with housing.
Fire investigators will determine the cause of the blaze.
