Advertisement Massive 9-alarm fire rips through Allston apartment building Civilian, six firefighters injured in fire Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A massive nine-alarm fire broke out at an Allston apartment building Wednesday evening injuring six firefighters and a civilian.Watch the report | Images: Large fire breaks out at Allston apartment buildingThe fire broke out at 8-, 12-, and 16-Harvard Terrace, which is off Harvard Avenue, after 5:30 p.m. Fire officials said heavy smoke and fire was reported as crews arrived at the scene and a second alarm was immediately ordered.Video: Massive fire begins in Allston"I saw a bunch of black smoke and rushed over from the corner and saw a bunch of flames coming out from a balcony in the center of the building," witness Noel Pagan said.The fire then extended from the rear porches to the interior of the building, and officials said a third alarm was ordered.Luiz Santana owns a hair salon next to where the fire broke out.“It was very hot. Very hot,” Santana said. “I tried to get near it but I couldn't. I started to yell at people because I saw the doors open.”The fire continued to grow, and fire officials ordered all of the firefighters out of the building to try to extinguish it from the outside.Crews then became worried that the building could collapse, and safety zones were set up and the alarm was raised to a seventh alarm.The fire was raised to nine alarms just before 7:30 p.m.Fire officials said six firefighters were injured while working to extinguish the massive blaze, and one civilian was also hospitalized.All of the injuries are considered to be non-life-threatening.Officials said 56 people have been displaced by the blaze, and officials with the American Red Cross said a reception center was set up for residents at the Jackson Mann school in Allston.“I lost everything,” Rogerio Lima said. “I had a lot of stuff.”Drivers are being asked to stay away from the area and to seek an alternate route around the area of the fire.The fire broke out during a busy time. College students are in the process of moving in to begin the academic year.This is the city's worst fire since another nine-alarm fire that broke out in the Back Bay in March. That fire killed two firefighters.Allston Fire YouTube