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6-alarm fire burns homes in Charlestown

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. — More than a dozen townhouse units in Charlestown were damaged Thursday during a 6-alarm fire on Bunker Hill Street.

The flames started just before 2 p.m. on the backside of the of 284 Bunker Hill St. Fire officials said they do not know what the cause is yet, but neighbors told FOX25 they heard a large explosion before the flames began.

Two buildings are destroyed and several others are damaged. The damage is estimated at a total of more than $5-million.

“The smoke was so bad it was black, yellow, it was awful, awful, awful, awful,” Kathy Gouthro said.

One woman went through the buildings near where the fire started and warned residents about the danger.

“I walked outside without shoes or anything and she said ‘there’s a massive fire, you need to leave immediately,’” Lourdes Fernandez said.

Temperatures in Boston peaked at 90 degrees right as the fire was burning strongest. Three firefighter was taken to the hospital for heat-related injuries, other firefighters were treated at the scene for minor heat issues.

While firefighters were on the scene of the Bunker Hill Street fire, flames began in another home nearby on the corner of Cook Street. Fire officials said that it was mostly ignited by embers from the first fire. That fire was under control in a short time.

Firefighters stayed on the scene of the Bunker Hill Street fire overnight to keep any hotspots from flaring up. The cleanup is expected to begin Friday morning.