Update: The Globe is now reporting that the Boston Tea Party museum caught fire. It had been closed for renovations. The Globe photographer got close enough to catch some intense flames coming from the museum. The Herald got word from a detail officer that sparks from welders working on the bridge may have set off the blaze.

Around noon today, smoke started filling the area around Congress Street Bridge, spewing from an object around the bridge. The smoke was thick and heavy, and it quickly made it tough to see if you were near the channel.

In case you missed the smoke, reader Kendra Hoyt caught how much of it filled the air:

An officer who was working traffic control had no idea what was going on. The fire department media relations office wouldn't give details on any causes. The mayor's office was aware of the situation, but they didn't know what caused the fire. All that was evident was that the situation merited the presence of at least 6 fire trucks 11 fire trucks.

Crappy cell-phone pictures by Caroline Roberts. If you have anything better, please send it along. Top image of the fire courtesy of Flickr user Leela.a. Second image of the fire courtesy of Kendra Hoyt. Early crappy cell-phone shots after the jump!

Early crappy cell-phone pictures: