The fire broke out inside the building on West 204th Street at 8:24 a.m.
The FDNY was able to bring the fire under control at 10 a.m. It caused extensive damage to two apartments.
"Originally we had about eight units on scene battling the fire. It escalated to a second alarm. We had multiple victims in there. heavy smoke and dangerous conditions throughout," said Deputy Chief Sean Murphy, FDNY.
Fifteen people, including two firefighters, suffered injuries and were hospitalized. Among the injured, one person is in serious condition. Most of those hurt suffered smoke inhalation.
Eyewitness News spoke with a man who said the fire started in his apartment.
"I heard these noises behind the radiator, little pops, then I pulled the bedstand out and it started smoking. And then the fire, I don't know how it got to the closet, it's all connected on the wires. The wires are about 100 years old," said Leonard Rzepnicki.
Yamilex Ramirez said the apartment she shared with her husband and their three young children was also destroyed.
The heartbroken family had only been in the apartment for three months after a year in a shelter waiting for a voucher.
Now their plans, Christmas tree, and Thanksgiving dinner were all extinguished by the flames that ripped through the building.
The Ramirez family and Rzepnicki are among the now homeless residents to whom the Red Cross is providing emergency assistance.
"Our hearts go out to all the people impacted right before the holiday-- we've currently registered 3 households --11 individuals, including five children-- for emergency assistance. we're working on getting folks temporary lodging, financial assistance, snacks, water, clothes, and toiletries. just trying to be there for them in time of difficult need," Frederic Klein with the Red Cross said.
The Red Cross is only able to provide assistance for the first 24 to 72 hours after a fire, although they try to extend that during the holiday season.
New Yorkers can work with the city or other nonprofits to find more permanent solutions.
Officials say the whole building was affected by the fire, but the Buildings Department issued a vacate order for just three apartments. Other residents will face extensive cleanup but are permitted to return.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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