Firefighter seriously injured after 5-alarm fire rages through Hamilton Heights building: FDNY

NEW YORK - A massive fire swept through a six-story apartment building in Hamilton Heights on Friday afternoon, injuring several people, including a firefighter who fell 40 feet down a shaft while battling the blaze.

The fire erupted just before 3 p.m. on the second floor of a building located at West 145th St., between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway. Within minutes, it escalated to a 5-alarm fire, ultimately requiring over 200 firefighters to bring it under control.

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"We had heavy fire blowing out of the window on the second floor," said FDNY Chief of Operations Kevin Woods. "The fire rapidly extended to the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth floors, involving approximately 10 apartments."

In total, 44 units and more than 200 firefighters and EMS staff were needed to battle the blaze. Firefighters managed to knock down the main body of the fire, but continue to work on lingering hotspots.

One firefighter was seriously injured during the response. According to FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker, the firefighter was maneuvering a hose down a stairway when he accidentally stepped into an open window and fell down a shaft. 

"He received immediate medical care at the bottom of the shaft by FDNY physicians and rescue medics," said Commissioner Tucker. 

The firefighter was transported to Harlem Hospital, where he remains in serious but stable condition.

The other individual injured — a civilian — sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Two other civilians were evaluated at the scene and released without needing further medical attention.

The blaze displaced about 40 residents, who were provided temporary shelter by the Red Cross at the nearby Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Elementary School.

As of Friday night, it remains unclear when residents will be allowed to return to their apartments. FDNY and city officials are continuing their investigation into the cause of the fire.