One of three firefighters seriously injured in Friday afternoon’s Staten Island blaze was released from hospital over the weekend, the FDNY confirmed.
A total of 22 firefighters were injured after a fire broke out in the back of an Arden Heights duplex, prompting a fourth alarm and a collapse, authorities said Friday.
The other two FDNY members hospitalized with serious injuries remained at Staten Island University Hospital, a department spokesperson said Sunday.
The FDNY noted that a call regarding the fire of Shotwell Avenue arrived around 1:30 p.m. Friday. Flames spread to the side and a collapse was reported at the rear of the structure as more reinforcements were needed.
“As firefighters were inside looking for occupants, windows gave way and the wind blew the fire intensely into the building, straight at the firefighters,” department chief John Hodgens said during the interview. a press conference at Staten Island University Hospital. .
Two of them were trapped and one escaped by jumping from the balcony. Another issued a Help, which is an emergency word, on the 2nd floor where he was rescued. A third seriously injured firefighter was disoriented when he was hit in the head with something that hit his gas mask and caused him to inhale smoke, Hodgens said.
All injured members should survive. Doctors said they were alert and “playing pranks”.
Photos from the back of the house show the residence completely destroyed, a total loss to the family residing inside.
A man inside the house at the time was able to evacuate safely without injury; no one else was home.
It’s unclear what started the fire which rose to four alarms, but FDNY officials say they believe the flame started in rear setbacks between two of the homes.
The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
Alfredo Acosta with an update.