10 Alarm Fire: Seven Buildings Evacuated in Cambridge MA

Firefighters have contained a 10-alarm blaze in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Residents from as many as seven buildings caught in the flames were evacuated and taken to a nearby community center.

No fatalities, but 2 injuries so far. Cars are reported to have burned. Firefighters battled a 10-alarm fire in Cambridge Saturday near Berkshire Street and Vandine Street that jumped from building to building. The area is close to Kendall Square and the Kendall Square Cinema, said WBUR in Boston. http://www.wbur.org/news/2016/12/03/cambridge-fire-multi-alarm

Cambridge Fire Chief Gerald Reardon said the blaze involved eight to 11 buildings and had displaced between 50 to 60 people. Crews contained the fire shortly before 8:30 p.m. Saturday night. The first call for the fire went out just before 3 p.m., according to a Cambridge Fire Department tweet.

Heavy flames emerged from at least one residential building. A large plume of smoke was visible for miles as heavy flames engulfed multi-family residential buildings, including a former church that had been converted to condos, and several automobiles. Fire crews were called in from surrounding communities.

Some witnesses said the fire started at a residential building undergoing renovations.

Chief Reardon said about five to six minor injuries had been reported. At least one responder was treated for smoke inhalation on scene. The State Fire Marshall's office said two police officers and one firefighter were injured.

The Cambridge Fire department said shelter was open at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School for families displaced from their homes.

State Fire Marshall spokeswoman Jennifer Mieth also directed displaced residents to go to the Frisoli Youth Center.

Authorities said they have intentionally shut the power off in the affected neighborhood and it could remain out through Saturday night.

Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons said in a tweet that people should hold off on donating material items if they want to help in recovery efforts and instead directed them to donate to the Mayor's Fire Relief Fund.