Officials will remain at the scene of a 7-alarm fire at a residential building in Boston throughout Saturday night to hit "hit spots," according to the city's fire department.
Between 60 and 70 people have been displaced because of the fire, and eight to 10 people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries sustained from smoke inhalation, officials said. One firefighter was also transported after getting cut.
Adam Petricca was at the scene when the fire first broke out.
"I didn't realize the extent at first. I heard people screaming and the smoke filled the alley," he said.
The property manager of the building, Ben Levenson, released a statement Saturday evening.
"We are working with the Boston Fire Department as they investigate the cause of the fire. Our priority is the safety of our residents and ensuring that they have temporary housing until we have an opportuniy to assess the damage."
Authorities believe the fire began on the second floor. They say it's not suspicious.
The roof collapsing and rough conditions made the fire tough to fight.
"The wind keeps pushing it one way then the other way as you see. Every once in a while the wind will shift. It comes down at you then it shifts another way and goes away," officials said.
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All of this happening during Northeastern's parents weekend.
"I think it's scary for a lot of people even parents who have kids around here, not necessarily in this building. But the Fire Department did an incredible job," Mayor Marty Walsh said.
Officials say they responded to 104 Hemenway St. in Boston's Fenway neighborhood just after 3:15 p.m. Saturday.
"We got here and there was smoke coming out of the second floor," Fire Commissioner Joseph Finn said.
According to officials, the building is an occupied 5-story residential building.
Northeastern University police announced Saturday afternoon that any students displaced by the fire can report to the Cabot Gym on Forsyth Street. Many students from both Northeastern and the Berklee College of Music live in the building.
The fire remains under investigation.
