Newton Police: Everyone Now Safe from Three-Alarm Fire on Charlesbank Road

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.

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.

Charlesbank Road has been blocked off at St. James St., according to an alert from Newton Police.