A fire started on Beacon Street in Boston on Wednesday that was quickly was upgraded to nine-alarms and has injured more than a dozen people.
The intensity forced firefighters out of the building around 3 p.m., the Boston Globe reported. However, a group of firefighters were trapped in the basement, according to scanner traffic. They were requesting a water line as they battle the fire down there.
At least three firefighters have been injured, one seriously. Fire department spokesman Steve MacDonald says a roll call is being done to make sure all firefighters are accounted for.
The fire started in the basement and spread throughout the building. The Boston Fire Department said it went through the roof as of 3:42 p.m.
Photos show dozens of firefighters battling the blaze, which started at 298 Beacon Street and was responded to at 2:43 p.m.
Smoke and flames are pouring from the roof and windows of the four-story brick building. Heavy winds are sending smoke throughout the densely populated Back Bay neighborhood.
Major thoroughfare Storrow Drive has been shut down, and people are being asked to stay out of the area.
EMS spokesman Nick Martin says 17 people have been taken to hospitals. MacDonald says there are no reports of residents missing.
A prosecutor is going to the scene of Wednesday’s fire, standard procedure in cases of serious or potentially life-threatening injuries.
More firefighters have been requested.
Story developing; check back for updates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
