Eleven FDNY firefighters were among 14 people injured during a sixth-alarm fire at an apartment building in downtown Manhattan's East Village.
WABC reports that the blaze broke out at the five-story building on First Ave. at around 1:45 a.m. and presented some challenges when flames spread to the rear of the building and caused a partial collapse.
"Much of the roof on the first floor extension has burned away, but because of the collapse hazard, we can't get in there," FDNY Chief of Department James Leonard said. "And that's the problem, why we can't put this fire out right now."
At a 9 a.m. briefing with the media, Leonard said firefighters would allow the fire in that small section of the structure to burn while they concentrate on preventing it from spreading to the main section of the building.
It was expected to be a prolonged operation.
The 11 injured firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion, while three residents also suffered minor injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
