Three firefighters were treated for injuries after a massive house fire on Westervelt Avenue spread to multiple neighboring structures and sent a large cloud of smoke over the borough.

The Hawthorne Fire Department was dispatched to the intersection of North 12th Street and Westervelt Avenue at 4:50 p.m. following reports of a structure fire. While units were still en route, a thick column of black smoke was visible from blocks away.

Upon arrival, Fire Chief Speranza confirmed a "working fire," with the rear of a home fully engulfed in flames. The fire quickly began spreading nearby, prompting a second alarm for additional manpower and mutual aid.

Fire companies faced a heavy volume of fire that had already consumed a garage, a shed, and a large amount of debris in the backyard. Crews stretched numerous hose lines to knock down the main body of the fire while simultaneously inspecting adjacent homes for damage caused by intense heat.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Fire officials remained on the scene for nearly four hours to perform overhaul and ensure all hot spots were extinguished.