Fire departments from Norwich and the region battled a fire that damaged three houses on Roath Street Sunday afternoon, with three firefighters taken to the hospital with heat exhaustion.

Firefighters initially conducted a search of the first floor of the multi-family house at 48 Roath St., where the fire had started, after reports that two residents were unaccounted for. No one was found, and fire officials and Norwich police confirmed all occupants had escaped unharmed.

Firefighters evacuated neighboring houses, as the fire spread to the second floor and roof of 52 Roath St. The house at 46 Roath St. also sustained heat damage. Norwich Public Utilities shut off power to the street, as firetruck towers and ladders were erected near power lines.

The fire, which was reported at 1:37 p.m., was brought under control at 3:46 p.m., although firefighters remained into the evening. Norwich fire officials said Sunday's hot weather hampered the effort.

Norwich Fire Department, and all five of the city's volunteer departments, Taftville, East Great Plain, Yantic, Occum and Laurel Hill, responded. The Mohegan Tribal Fire Department, New London Fire Department, the Sub Base department, American Ambulance and the Salvation Army canteen responded.