Update, 6:15 p.m.: Three firefighters were seriously injured in a four-alarm house fire on Staten Island, according to the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).
FDNY crews responded at approximately 1:30 p.m. Eastern to a fire at 88 Shotwell Avenue. Crews arrived on scene in under four minutes and found heavy smoke and fire upon arrival, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh stated.
Eleven minutes into the incident, there was a report of a firefighter down. Eighteen minutes in, a signal was transmitted for a trapped member. Three members were pulled out of the structure in critical condition; 17 others were also injured.
The fire was in a duplex building with heavy fire conditions in both units; the fire reportedly had started between the two buildings in the rear and quickly spread to both buildings. Heavy wind conditions exacerbated fire conditions when the windows in the structure failed. One firefighter was able to make his way to a balcony and jump down into a driveway; another trapped member on the second floor issued a Mayday call and was rescued by other units arriving on scene. The nozzleman of Engine 168 was trying to extinguish the fire when he became disoriented and was struck by debris, which knocked off his face piece; he suffered smoke inhalation.
The badly injured members are now reportedly in stable condition. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Update, 4:45 p.m. Eastern: The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) said that up to 20 firefighters have been injured while operating at a fire on Staten Island. Three firefighters suffered serious injuries while 17 others sustained nonlife-threatening injuries.
ORIGINAL STORY: At least two firefighters were reportedly injured in a major collapse at a four-alarm fire on Staten Island in New York City on Friday, February 17, 2023, according to reports. The New York Post said three FDNY members were critically injured during the fire.
According to CBS News, the fire occurred on Shotwell Avenue in Arden Heights at around 1:30 p.m. and went to a fourth alarm. Multiple Maydays were reportedly declared at the scene of the fire, with multiple collapses reported.
Further details on their injuries were unknown as of this writing. This story will be updated.
