There was a fire in an apartment building in the Bronx on Saturday. At least 17 people were injured, including five firefighters when they braved the flames to save those trapped inside.
The fire had spread into the staircases and hallways. Smoke was everywhere too, forcing families back inside their apartments. An infant baby girl was among those rescued by firefighters.
Deputy Chief Bob Busch, FDNY: "Probably what happened is that they opened the door and the heat was so intense and hot it just blew them backwards...knocked them out. I don't think they had much of a chance."
Firefighter Brian Fox with Ladder 44 was making his way to the sixth floor. He opened a door to find three generations of one family all unconscious, burned in a smoky room.
Firefighter Brian Fox, FDNY Rescue 3: "The baby and mother were on the couch...the grandmother was laying on the ground. They were real lethargic. I tried to communicate to the mother that help would be here shortly...that I would take the baby to safety."
Fox grabbed the 5-month old baby girl and rushed her down six flights of stairs to a waiting ambulance. At the same time, firefighters with Rescue 3 were going inside the apartment from the window.
Firefighter Stuart Keane, FDNY Rescue 3: "I forced the gate into the apartment and found the mother on the couch...and Tommy found the other female in the apartment."
Firefighter Tom Bohn, FDNY Rescue 3: "The grandmother was in the corner of the living room by the T.V. She was unconscious with second to third degree burns...shoulders...arms...back."
Firefighters had to wrap the grandmother in netting so that they could carry her down from the top floor. Five firefighters were hurt battling the blaze and getting everyone out successfully.
Capt. Dennis McCool, FDNY: "Everything worked out great with Brian today...I mean...he did a great job. He had all his skills and tools he used. From what I understand, the baby has been downgraded to stable condition and she's going to make it."
The baby has been upgraded to stable condition and is a Cornell Medical Center. Her mother and grandmother are not doing as well. They have second and third degree burns.
As for the cause of the fire, fire marshals are investigating arson. They believe someone set a third floor couch on fire that was in the hallway.
