Five FDNY Firefighters Injured—Two Seriously—in 4-Alarm Fire

March 29, 2021
More than 165 firefighters from nearly 40 units battled a wind-driven blaze at a six-story apartment building in the Bronx's University Heights neighborhood.

Two FDNY firefighters are in serious condition and were among five who were injured during a wind-driven four-alarm fire in the Bronx on Sunday.

The fire broke out just after 8:10 a.m. at a six-story apartment building in the University Heights neighborhood, WPIX-TV reports. More than 165 firefighters from nearly 40 units responded to the call amid thunderstorms and heavy wind gusts.

"We had fire in one of the top floor apartments that was driven by a heavy wind condition," FDNY Assistant Chief John Hodgens said in a statement. "Fire spread to two additional apartments and into the space above the ceiling. Units did an interior fire attack and we set up exterior streams with our tower ladders. We had to work aggressively and we were able to knock most of the fire down relatively quickly."

Five firefighters were injured battling the blaze, with two firefighters suffering serious injuries. Two civilians also were injured in the fire, but they refused medical attention, according WPIX.

The fire was under control shortly before 10:20 p.m., and its cause is under investigation.

Earlier in the weekend, two FDNY firefighters were injured during a fire at a Staten Island home late Saturday night, WCBS-TV reports. More than 100 firefighters responded to the call, and they could see flames shooting into the sky from the two-story house in the Prince's Bay neighborhood.

No details were released concerning the extent of the firefighters' injuries, but they are expected to recover.

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