"People were awake and available. We are just very fortunate right now," Chief Gerald R. Reardon said.
The fire started about 2:55 p.m. at a building under construction and then spread to 11 buildings, including mostly apartments. One of them sustained a major collapse.
"It's the spacing of the buildings and getting the ladders and apparatuses in this area of the city," Reardon said.
About 140 firefighters from 17 fire departments helped battle the blaze.
Smoke could be seen across the city before the sun set, as high winds stoked the fire. A crowd gathered as the fire destroyed cars and homes in between Kendall and Inman Square.
Officials said most of the apartments affected are low-income housing. The Red Cross is helping and a shelter has been set up at Cambridge High School and War Memorial Center. Anyone who needs help or a place to sleep is welcome to go there.
"I'm in shock. There's no place for these people to go now and I don't know how to help," said one neighbor, Paula Sousa, who has lived in the area for years.
The Cambridge mayor's office set up a GoFundMe account to help families as well.
Cambridge police and the Fire Marshal's Office are at the scene investigating the cause.
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