Newton Police: Everyone Now Safe from Flames on Charlesbank Road

Updated 7:07 p.m.

Approximately 50 firefighters responded to the three-alarm blaze on Charlesbank Road this afternoon, along with all nine of Newton's trucks and an engine from Boston, according to tweets from the Newton Fire Department.

Two people were injured in the blaze, including a plumber who was transported to Saint Elizabeth's with minor burns to his arms. A firefighter was also treated for a back injury, the Fire Department said. 

As of this evening, fire investigators believe the cause of the fire was a plumber's torch, according to the NFD Twitter feed. The building is a total loss, with an estimated value of $1 million. 

The building housed four apartments, with all eight residents displaced by the fire. 

6:30 p.m.

American Red Cross volunteers assisted three families (a total of eight people) who were displaced by today's three-alarm fire on Charlesbank Road in Newton, according to information provided by American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts Communications Manager Ashley Studley.

The families included a family of four (three adults, one baby) and two families with two adults each. 

Volunteers provided two of the families with emergency temporary shelter, a hotel stay, as well as funds for food and baby supplies.

The third family (two adults) has found a place to stay.

Volunteers also provided comfort kits, which include toiletries and blankets. 

4:55 p.m.

According to the Newton Police Department Twitter feed, Charlesbank Road and St. James Street have been reopened.

The American Red Cross also indicates via Twitter that its volunteers are still at the scene in Newton helping displaced residents.

Posted earlier:

Newton Police say everyone is now safe and clear of the two-story apartment building on Charlesbank Road where a three-alarm blaze broke out this afternoon.

Anjelica Redfern, who lives in the apartment building next door, said she was outside smoking when she started seeing smoke.

"There was smoke coming in my house," Redfern said. "I saw people running out of the building and then the firefighters and police and everyone pulled up."

The American Red Cross says it has volunteers on-scene at the 25 Charlesbank Road home. Four families were displaced by the fire, that struck the building at 25 Charlesbank Road, Newton fire officials told Jonathan Hall of WHDH Channel 7 news.

Meantime, traffic from the Mass Pike to and from Nonantum Road is still being detoured as Newton firefighters extinguish the last of the flames. Charlesbank Road has been blocked off at St. James St., according to an alert from Newton Police.

According to the Newton Fire Department Twitter feed, the main body of the fire was knocked down around 3 p.m. Crews are now conducting extensive overhaul at the scene. 

Firefighters were first called to the area shortly before 2 p.m. Responders reported fire showing on arrival at the residence which is near the Mass Pike. Fire crews from Newton and Boston battled the flames.

Shortly after 2 p.m., companies were conducting a primary search of the residence. There were believed to be residents still inside. 

By 2:20 p.m., three alarms had been struck, with what appeared to be a fire in the attic extending into the residence.