NEW YORK (AP) -- Four firefighters suffered serious injuries when one wall and the roof of a burning building in Brooklyn crumbled on top of them, authorities said.
The firefighters had broken bones and bruises and were taken to area hospitals for treatment, said Fire Department spokesman Charlie Markey. Eight other firefighters suffered minor injuries, he said.
The blaze began shortly before 6:30 p.m. Thursday in a two-story brick house at 2037 East 23rd Street. It was under control about an hour later, after 150 firefighters reported to the scene.
The injured firefighters had been standing in an alley beside the building when the roof and wall collapsed.
The house was unoccupied, authorities said, and the cause of the fire was under investigation.
