Firefighters responded to the building on Grand Avenue in the University Heights section just after 6 a.m.
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A fire broke out on the third floor of a 6-story residential building.
The flames spread quickly and a 2nd alarm was called bringing 25 units and 106 fire personnel to the scene.
"I woke up to the black smoke in the whole apartment and then the firemen came and broke the door down and got me out of here," resident Albert Rodriguez.
Firefighters said the door to the apartment where the fire started was left open which allowed smoke and flames to spread to the upper floors.
"One of our units, ladder 56, rescued three people from the floor above the fire. One pregnant woman and two children," FDNY Deputy Chief David Simms said.
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Others were able to get out using the fire escape, but the rainy, freezing weather did not make it easy.
"Since we were on the fourth floor, we went down two flights but the railings were very icy, very icy," resident Carlos Grande said.
Ten people, including one firefighter, were hurt, but it is believed their injuries are not life-threatening.
Seven people were taken to the hospital.
The weather hindered firefighters' response to the fire as well as a hydrant was frozen but they were able to bring the fire under control by 7:30 a.m.
The Red Cross said it provided emergency housing to four families.
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Even residents whose units weren't damaged were dealing with the fire's effects as they were without water and gas.
The building's superintendent said both should be restored by the end of the day.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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