E. Village blaze puts 14 in hosp
A raging all-night fire in the East Village left 14 people hospitalized Wednesday, officials said.
The stubborn blaze broke out in a five-story building on First Ave. near E. 11th St. about 1:45 a.m., FDNY officials said.
After responding firefighters put out most of the blaze, flames spread to the first-floor ceiling and the second floor.
As the blaze raged anew, FDNY brass called for more backup and ordered firefighters out of the building. A short time later, there was a partial collapse of the first-floor setback, officials said.
“This is going to be a prolonged operation,” FDNY Chief of Department James Leonard said. “We cannot hit the seat of the fire because of structural concerns.”
Leonard said “heavy construction” in had made fighting the fire difficult.
“There are multiple ceilings,” he said. “The building construction is very old. The wood is thicker and better than it is today.
“We cannot penetrate the roof and we can’t put people underneath it,” he said. “Right now we are allowing the fire to burn in the back while protecting the front.”
Several tower ladders (below) were used to fight the fire.
All residents got out of the building, officials said.
Medics took 12 firefighters and two civilians to area hospital with minor injuries.
Nearby schools were closed for the day as firefighters continued to fight the blaze.
The fire began in a firstfloor bathroom, Leonard said. The cause of the blaze was still under investigation.