Three firefighters injured after floor collapses during Brooklyn fire, FDNY says
EAST NEW YORK, Brooklyn (WABC) -- Three firefighters were injured when a floor collapsed during a fire in Brooklyn.
Flames broke out Friday just before 6 p.m. at the two-story home on Williams Ave between Linden Boulevard and De Witt Ave. in East New York.
In only 14 minutes, firefighters had successfully knocked down most of the flames and started searching for any civilian who might have been trapped. Then, suddenly, the firefighters became trapped.
"The structural beams have been weakened due to that large volume of fire in there. We're all with bunker gear on, about 300 pounds, I would guess, with funky gear and equipment on so again, there's a heavy there's a heavy load on there, not knowing that there was structural damage, because we didn't get a chance to open up some of the fire areas yet. That's when the collapse occurred," said FDNY Assistant Chief Mike Meyers.
When the floor gave way beneath them, they plunged an entire story to the level below. Two of them were suddenly stuck under a mountain of debris.
Firefighters called a mayday signal and an army of reinforcements rushed to help.
"Their brothers were able to get them out and evaluate them and transport them to hospital in stable condition," said FDNY EMS Department Chief Michael Bradshaw.
When it was over, fire marshals were crawling over the scene as they tried to determine how the fire started. It was a tragedy averted for New York's Bravest.
"No one wanna lose their home no one wanna be in a fire and also the firefighters, the life they put on the line to save others is just unforgettable. The quick response -- they are true champs," said Theresa Robinson.
The firefighters went to the hospital for minor injuries. An occupant of the home also went to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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