A seven-alarm fire broke out in a triple-decker Thursday morning in a densely populated Somerville neighborhood near Inman Square, spreading to five nearby buildings, and injuring one firefighter.
The fire had been contained as of 8 a.m., but Somerville Fire Chief Kevin Kelleher said firefighters would continue to battle the fire for another few hours. Kelleher said the "chimney effect" -- air moving in and out of the building -- made fighting the fire challenging.
"This fire had tremendous headwind," Kelleher said.
Two buildings are heavily damaged, but Kelleher was uncertain how many people would be displaced by the fire.
The cause of the fire, which broke out on Calvin Street, is still under investigation. Neighborhood residents said there had been additional fires in the area recently.
The smoke was was strong enough to be smelled throughout nearby neighborhoods of Somerville and Cambridge.
Fire trucks from Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Chelsea, Medford and Winchester assisted at the scene. Somerville Engine 3 was first to respond after a call just before 6 a.m., Kelleher said.
Calvin Street residents said they were evacuated from their homes at about 6:20 a.m.
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