SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Nine families and 18 people are looking for a new place to live on Saturday after fire broke out at a Springfield motel, which actually doubled as apartments.

Firefighters were called to 339 Boston Road just after 5pm Saturday.

Fire spokesman Dennis Leger told 22News, the blaze was sparked by a malfunctioning ceiling fan in a bathroom apartment and spread throughout the building doing extensive damage.

Tenants living at the Valley Inn motel spotted flames and called 911.

"My boyfriend saw flames in the bathroom, we opened it and there were flames coming from the ceiling," said Motel guest Lisa Corvin.

"It makes me nervous because no fire alarms went off, what if we were sleeping when it happened?"

The American Red Cross is helping those left homeless, pick up the pieces.