Roof of multi-family home caved in after intense fire in Waltham

WALTHAM, Mass. — A multi-alarm fire forced residents out of their homes in Waltham late Saturday night.

Fire officials said the roof of the multi-family house on Adams Street caved in, but everyone made it out safely and unharmed -- thanks to an alert neighbor who jumped into action.

As the massive flames shot through, neighbor Robert Pellegrine knew he couldn't sit on his back deck and just watch.

"I grabbed my little fire extinguisher and came to the side of the house with the fire extinguisher," he said. "I couldn’t put it out, just way too strong."

Pellegrine's wife called 911 while he tried to make sure everyone was out of the house, and alerted a man who was inside to get out quickly.

"I couldn’t break the door because I tried to kick it in and it wouldn’t budge," Pellegrine added. "I knew the fire was on this side so I broke the window on that side knowing it wouldn’t affect the fire jumping over."

Fire crews said the flames were so intense, it burned the side of the house next door.

Waltham Fire said no residents were hurt, but a firefighter was taken to the hospital with a minor injury and is expected to recover.

It is still unclear how much damage the fire caused.

Related: Three-alarm fire torches two-story building in Pembroke, NH

Cox Media Group