One lone firefighter spotted an outpouring of smoke from a building in the Financial District  on Wednesday, alerting the department and leading to a quick evacuation of the occupants.

At about 2 p.m., Boston Fire said, the “heavy black smoke” was spotted pouring from the roof of the multi-story building 128 Milk St. around downtown.

A second alarm was immediately ordered as the blaze swept the roof.

“We were fortunate to have a Firefighter doing a detail in the area, who called it in and made sure everyone was evacuated,” Boston Fire posted on X on Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters had to climb seven stories with equipment to get the hose line to the roof, the department said. Companies brough “multiple hose lines to the roof,” Boston Fire said, knocking down the heavy fire.

The responders conducted “major overhauling of hot spots on the roof.”

Just after 3:30 p.m., Boston Fire reported the fire had been knocked down and “detail fire companies will remain on scene to monitor any hot spots.”

One firefighter was transported by Boston EMS during the fight, the department said. Further details about the responder’s injuries and condition were not immediately available.

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The department thanks Boston Sparks for their response to the scene, noting the association provided “much needed water and wet towels on this warm day.”

The cause of the fire is under active investigation by the Fire Inspection Unit.