NEW YORK — More than a dozen people were hurt early Wednesday as a fire engulfed an apartment building in New York City's East Village.
#BREAKING: 12 transported to local hospitals as fire tears through East-Village apartment building @PIX11News
— Nora Abramov (@NoraAbramov) October 3, 2018
According to WPIX, firefighters were called to First Avenue building about 1:45 a.m. Authorities evacuated people from five buildings and closed the nearby East Side Community School.
@FDNY fighting a fire early this morning in the East Village. pic.twitter.com/7G0irOGKBD
— Sara Kerens (@sarakerens) October 3, 2018
At least 17 firefighters and three others were taken to area hospitals for treatment, WABC reported.
Most of the firefighters had minor injuries, including smoke inhalations. A few had heat exhaustion. The three residents also had minor injuries.
Authorities are investigating what caused the blaze.
“Very stubborn fire; what you see in the front is not what you see in the rear. It’s still not under control.” Could close 2 schools nearby 1st Ave & 12th Street. Live @PIX11News pic.twitter.com/FT1EVUbDij
— Kirstin Cole (@kirstincoletv) October 3, 2018
Fast-moving fire tears through East Village apartment building: FDNY https://t.co/UvfnV8gRy6 pic.twitter.com/NYBXf5G5eV
— PIX11 News (@PIX11News) October 3, 2018
Officials told WABC that the fire was difficult to fight because flames had spread to a section in the rear of the building that had partially collapsed. It was not safe for firefighters to access, WABC reported. Because of the danger, firefighters were allowing the flames in that small area to burn itself out, but kept it from spreading to other areas.
More than a dozen residents are being housed by the Red Cross and those who lived in the buildings won’t be able to return to their homes until officials check the structural integrity of the buildings, WABC reported.
Cox Media Group
