Photos by Niamh Coomey Firefighters battle flames that spread to three houses on Washington Street in Bellaire on Friday evening.

BELLAIRE — Bellaire Volunteer Fire Department and other local first responders battled a blaze that spread to multiple structures on Friday evening.

The fire that started in one house on Washington Street and spread to two others engulfed the surrounding neighborhoods in smoke. As the three houses burned, multiple fire departments responded to the scene.

Bellaire police officers shut down West 26th Street to allow emergency vehicles better access and to limit traffic flow in the immediate area of the blaze.

Onlookers gathered in parking lots surrounding the hillside where smoke and flames could be seen coming out of at least three houses on Washington Street.

The Belmont County Tanker Task Force was activated to help haul additional water to the scene.

The Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department, OR&W Fire District and the Moundsville Fire Department all responded to the scene Friday evening to assist the Bellaire VFD.