Two vacant and boarded rowhouses on St. Benedict Street in Southwest Baltimore were heavily damaged by fire yesterday afternoon, according to a Fire Department spokesman.

The fire broke out shortly after 12:30 p.m. and required fire commanders to sound two alarms, bringing a dozen trucks and engines to the 2600 block of St. Benedict St., near St. Agnes Hospital.

Chief Kevin Cartwright, a Fire Department spokesman, said flames were shooting through the roof when firefighters arrived. The fire was under control shortly after 1 p.m.

Cartwright said one firefighter twisted his ankle. The fire remains under investigation, the spokesman said.