More than a dozen first responders hurt in Bronx fire, FDNY says
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More than a dozen first responders were injured battling five-alarm fire in the University Heights section of the Bronx on Sunday night.
The FDNY said 14 people were either treated at the scene or transported to the hospital. The victims included one resident, four paramedics and nine firefighters. One of the firefighters is in critical condition.
Bronx fire damages 3 homes in University Heights
Fire officials said it started around 7:30 p.m. on the first floor of a multi-family home and spread to other homes located between Webb Avenue and West 190th Street.
The blaze, which damaged three homes, prompted a massive response, including 44 units. Nearly 200 fire and EMS personnel arrived on scene to help put out the flames.
They faced sweltering conditions and were seen dousing themselves at times while dousing the fire.
The FDNY said flames engulfed the residential building and sent black smoke billowing into the air, blanketing the area, as firefighters battled the flames from the ground and from above on a ladder.
Fire officials said the blaze involved lithium batteries, but the cause remains under investigation.
Witnesses describe the harrowing scene
Neighbors said they saw a motorized scooter engulfed in flames in front of the home.
"I come back, the battery have a fire," one witness said.
Then, they said they heard screaming coming from the house.
"The disabled guy was coming down the ramp yelling for help, and one of the neighbors from my building ran in to get the lady outside," witness Brandyn McCall said. "It looked like she had burns on the back of her legs and her arms."
McCall got emotional thinking about those hurt and displaced.
"It's kind of traumatizing," he said. "I'm just hoping they are okay, truthfully."
Another resident who lives nearby said he also saw someone being rescued from the home.
"I was just looking through the window, I hear screaming and they pull them through the window," the resident said.
Fire officials asked residents in the area to close their windows to avoid the smoke.
