Officials Say Multi-Million Dollar Loss in Nine-Alarm Boston Fire

Authorities in Boston say a fire that started at a vacant property and spread to nearby homes likely caused millions of dollars in damages.

The Boston Fire Department tweeted that the cause of Saturday evening’s nine-alarm fire on the border of the Mattapan and Dorchester neighborhoods is currently unknown. The department said seven firefighters and two civilians were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

In addition to the vacant building in which the fire started, officials say the blaze spread to seven residences. The number of people displaced was not immediately known.

The fire started at around 4:45 p.m. and the ninth alarm was struck around 45 minutes later. Firefighters were still on the scene checking for hot spots around 10 p.m.

Department Commissioner Joe Finn commended the coordination among emergency services.