By Josh Resnek
Everett firefighters worked heroically to contain a large blaze at a three family home on Pearl Street Friday night.
About 20 people had to flee the two alarm fire in a highly congested neighborhood of the city.
No one was injured, but the building is a total loss. The damages are estimated at $900,000.
The fire apparently began sometime around 9:45 p.m.
When firefighters arrived at the scene flames were shooting through the roof and with flames and heavy smoke pouring through the windows.
Some residents of the home were unaware of the fire when a stranger shouted at the first floor tenants to get out of the house, according to witnesses.
In a matter of minutes, fire tore through the house.
Everyone living there apparently lost everything, according to witnesses interviewed at the scene.
Firefighters and paramedics rescued several cats from the home, outfitting them with oxygen masks after they escaped the flames.
Saturday morning a cleanup and eventual board-up of the burned out wreck had begun, that, along with an ongoing investigation into what caused the fire by the Everett Fire Department.
Firefighters from Chelsea, Revere and Malden were called to the scene.