TROY, NY—Fire sent five people to the hospital Friday when it tore through a home on Third Street and filled the surrounding blocks with thick smoke, fire officials said.
One man jumped from a second-story window to escape the flames that consumed 177 Third St. Firefighters rescued two men and a woman who were trapped inside the burning building by flames and smoke, Fire Chief Eric McMahon said.
A fire lieutenant suffered burns and was sent to Samaritan Hospital along with the woman and one of the men, McMahon said. More seriously injured, two other men were taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital for treatment.
The identities of the people injured and the severity of their wounds was not immediately releases.
Three other residents escaped from the two-story red brick building without being hurt. The fire was reported at 7:15 a.m.
Firefighters found flames in several windows and smoke bellowing from the edges of the roof when they arrived. They searched the structure, which was divided into four apartments, and pulled the trapped people out.
"It was a tough fire. They did a wonderful job," McMahon said of his firefighting crew.
"The smoke was so heavy you couldn't see," said one neighbor, who asked not to be identified. Other residents said the smoke did not rise, remaining close to the ground.
The flames were so intense that a second-alarm was sounded to bring additional Troy fire companies to the corner of Liberty and Third streets to fight the fire, McMahon said. Also answering the second-alarm were the Watervliet city and Watervliet Arsenal fire departments.
Troy fire, police and the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control are investigating the fire's cause.
Sam Travis, the building owner, stood outside surveying the damage. The building has a full market value of $211,300, according to city assessment records.
"I'm concerned about the people," he said, declining to make further comments.
Two dogs died in the fire and several cats are missing.
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