A fire broke out in a six-story apartment building on West 204th Street near Sherman Avenue in Inwood, Upper Manhattan, on Tuesday morning. Officials have reported that the fire resulted in 15 injuries, including one firefighter.
Citizen NYC reports that a civilian and a firefighter are currently facing life-threatening injuries, while another civilian has sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Around 8:30 am local time, a fire broke out on the first floor of the building and rapidly spread to the top.
Over 130 first responders collaborated to extinguish the flames and remained on-site throughout the afternoon to keep an eye on any potential hotspots.
According to Fox5 New York, the fire was declared under control by 10 am. However, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Ten people who were injured, primarily due to smoke inhalation, were promptly transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention. The remaining individuals were provided with immediate treatment at the scene.
According to CBS News, a resident who uses a wheelchair recounted the situation, explaining how he alerted his neighbors by knocking on doors and shouting, “Fire, fire, get out!”
The potential cause, according to him, is believed to be electrical issues, although fire marshals have not yet confirmed this.
Flames were seen shooting out of the building as witnesses recounted the harrowing scene. Thick smoke blanketed the area for hours, making it even more difficult for residents to evacuate. One resident described the intensity of the heat, which added to the challenges they faced during the evacuation process.
FDNY officials, medics, and EMS personnel worked tirelessly to keep the building’s residents safe. The incident has raised ongoing concerns in the neighborhood as investigators work to establish the cause of the fire.
The fire was quickly brought under control, but we will closely monitor the impact it has had on the injured residents and their recovery in the days to come.
