Seven firefighters and two residents were injured after a six-alarm fire destroyed three homes and a church, and displaced seven families on Arlington Avenue in Cypress Hills.

Witnesses recall hearing an explosion prior to the fire and smelling smoke around 6 p.m. Sunday. 

Officials say seven firefighters were injured along with two people, one of them seriously. 

A fire chief told News 12 that the fire started in a garage behind a building, and then spread to several other buildings, including three homes and the church. Fire marshals have determined that the fire was caused by repair work involving a torch on the garage roof.

The Red Cross says seven families have been displaced as a result of the fire.

Fire officials continued to evaluate the scene of the fire Monday, but say the fire is under control.