A woman was arrested Wednesday after charging into a two-alarm fire at a rooming house in Worcester, police said.
Around 10:45 p.m., emergency responders went to 41 May St., according to police spokesperson Sgt. Elise B. Miranda said.
When crews arrived, people were evacuating the three-story house, officials said. Miranda said the initial scene was chaotic and it was difficult to determine if anyone was still inside.
For an unknown reason, a woman identified as Sarah Beth Martinez, 37, ran back into the burning building barefoot, Miranda said. Two police officers went to get her and placed her under arrest.
Martinez is charged with obstructing a firefighter, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. There were two previous warrants for her arrest, police said.
Crews brought the fire under control within 20 minutes while searching the building for residents, officials said. Crews rescued three people from the house.
Four residents and a firefighter were taken to local hospitals, Miranda said.
One resident sustained life-threatening injuries. The other three residents and the firefighter suffered minor injuries, Miranda said.
Fifteen people were displaced. The extent of the damage to the home remains unclear but Miranda said the building was fully engulfed at one point.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Hannah Goeke can be reached at hannah.goeke@globe.com.