SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Three firefighters were injured Saturday morning while battling a roaring Bradley Street blaze on the edge of Central Park.
The flames were reported at 1664-1666 Bradley St. at 10:19 a.m. and were already consuming the yellow wood-frame home's second floor by the time fire crews arrived minutes later, Deputy Fire Chief Scott Doherty said.
Doherty said an elderly couple on the first floor and their two grown children escaped the blaze uninjured, but three fighters were hurt battling the flames.
One lieutenant injured his shoulder carrying a hose line, one firefighter cut his hand and another suffered from heat exhaustion, Doherty said.
All three were taken to nearby Ellis Hospital, but Doherty said none of the injuries is believed to be serious.
In all, it took about an hour for 18 firefighters to control the blaze, which ripped a yawning hole in the southeastern side of the second floor facing Central Park Magnet School.
"Flames were just shooting out there," Doherty said.
A dog, a bird and a cat were saved from the fire, but Doherty said several other cats remained missing hours later.
Doherty said the second floor of the home was unoccupied other than by the pets.
Doherty said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Copyright 2012 - Times Union, Albany, N.Y.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service