The third-alarm fire broke out at FDNY Engine 79, Ladder 37, Battalion 27 on Briggs Avenue in Bedford Park just after 6 a.m. on Friday.
The blaze blocked firefighters on the second floor from escaping down the stairs.
"They called for extra help. We had some firefighters on the second floor of the building who could not get out through the stairway. So, they did exactly what we ask everybody to do, exactly what we teach, was to shelter in the front room and close the door behind them. Which gave them the opportunity and bought them time for another fire unit to come and help evacuate them from the building," FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said.
Neighbors couldn't believe what they were seeing.
"I woke up to the smell of the smoke. I thought it was inside the apartment. And we both woke up and looked out the window. Saw the fire coming out of the fire station with the sirens. Fire? Yeah, it was really. It was really shocking," Eva Santos said.
The FDNY says the crew on watch duty noticed a fire on the first floor coming from the truck and alerted everyone else. Some were able to get out, but quickly flames spread to the second floor, trapping firefighters upstairs.
But officials say they did exactly what they told civilians to do.
"Exactly what we teach which was to shelter in the front room and close the door behind them. Which gave them the opportunity and bought them time for another fire unit to come and help evacuate them from the building," FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore siaid.
Some 160 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the scene.
There were 14 minor injuries. Several firefighters were taken to area hospitals.
"We had a couple of minor injuries at this time. Everybody is okay. Thankfully, we're grateful for that," Bonsignore said.
The fire affected the top two floors of the firehouse.
"Where the cause and where it started is under investigation. The fire did extend to the apparatus, engine 79 fire truck, and was involved in fire. That fire was spreading up the stairs," FDNY Chief of Department Joseph Esposito said.
Once the fire was under control, the clean-up began, including bagging uniforms for decontamination and towing the destroyed truck away.
The FDNY says it will relocate companies while the firehouse is closed, but pledges to maintain operations in the neighborhood it serves.
Still, it makes some people who live across the street nervous for future emergencies.
"I'm not going to lie. Yeah, it definitely does. But I don't know, I guess I hope that this whole thing can be cleared out. They can fix everything," neighbor Edward Diaz said.
----------
* More Bronx news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube