Some residents hosed down their houses in an effort to save them from blowing embers.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) – A massive fire that started in a mill and spread to houses within a 10 block radius was officially declared under control about 7:30 p.m. Friday, fire officials said.

The cause of the fire was not known.

Five people were being evaluated for injuries at Memorial Hospital, but none of them appeared serious, said spokeswoman Louise Paiva.

The blaze, which started in the Greenhalgh Mills complex on Cottage Street, had spread flames at least five blocks east and five blocks south, officials said, missing some homes, but setting setting fire to others along the way.

The Red Cross was setting up cots for displaced families at Joseph Jenks Junior High School. One man, who wouldn’t give his name, was seen leaving his apartment with his clothes in two trash bags slung over his shoulder.

The fire started about 2:45 p.m. at the Greenhalgh Mills, an abandoned textile mill. The building was scheduled for demolition, and was going to be turned into a Stop & Shop grocery store. Asbestos removal had taken place, and there were no hazardous chemicals in the building, according to city zoning director Ron Travis.

Mayor James Doyle said at least five homes had been destroyed. Some residents hosed down their houses in an effort to save them from blowing embers.

Angelo Segalla stood about a block from the fire, looking at his neighborhood and hoping his house wouldn’t catch. He, his wife and three children had been evacuated. Several houses in the area had caught fire, including one across the street.

“I’ve been praying a lot,” he said.

One Pawtucket resident said fire trucks rolled through the neighborhoods and used a loudspeaker to tell residents to leave their homes.

Flames and plumes of black smoke could be seen for blocks.

Blustery winds of about 35-45 mph hampered firefighters’ efforts to control the blaze.

“The wind is killing us,” Clarkson said.

Several area fire departments from throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Video footage showed flames overtaking at least one full city block. The video showed one firefighter perched on a ladder high above the burning complex spraying water on the flames.

All children had safely left the Curvin-McCabe Elementary School, located about a block from the fire, said Pawtucket School Committee member Bill Busald.

Soot and smoke had filled the school building, he added. One witness said the students left the building with their mouths covered.

The fire was “fairly contained” by about 5:30 p.m., said Doyle.

Several parts of town lost power, including The (Pawtucket) Times, which was operating on a generator.

Around the block from the fire, Jean Langborg had tossed her crutches aside and was busily sweeping leaves away from her house with a broom.

“I just got through a divorce, and I’m trying to keep the house, and I’m not about to lose it to a fire,” said the 53-year-old, as embers floated in the air around her.

One resident, David Williams, had arrived home from work when he saw his neighborhood, located about a block from the complex, was on fire. The smoke was so thick, he said, he couldn’t see down the street. Williams, 45, had yet to speak with his wife.

“I got to find the wife,” he said frantically. “Hopefully, she got the cat out, too.”

AP-ES-11-14-03 1831EST