On Friday, three New York City firefighters suffered critical injuries in what the commissioner called a “very close call” as flames ripped through a duplex on Staten Island. According to officials, they are awake and are expected to survive.
According to Chief of Department John Hodgens, firefighters were able to rescue a lieutenant from the second floor of one of the homes in the borough’s Arden Heights neighborhood after he sent out a mayday signal.
“With the amount of fire upon arrival and the wind condition, it was a difficult fire,” Hodgens said. “It was a difficult fire that required us to really work very hard.”
The president of the firefighters union said the closest firehouse was closed Friday because of scheduled firefighter medical exams, possibly delaying the fire department’s response.
Another engine company was involved in an accident on the way to the scene, Uniformed Firefighters Association President Andrew Ansbro said.
“Had Engine 167 not been closed, more firefighters would have arrived faster and put water on the fire that much quicker, resulting in less damage and possibly sparing some firefighters injuries,” Ansbro said.
