YONKERS, N.Y. Firefighters fought Friday night to subdue a fire that quickly spread through a three-story home on Woodworth Avenue in Yonkers and drove six families from their homes.
The two-alarm blaze started in the first floor at 216 Woodworth Ave. just after 9:30 p.m. Friday. No residents were reported hurt, but seven firefighters sustained minor injuries, fire officials said Sunday.
Firefighters werent able to contain the flames before they spread through the first floor of the building and up the rear, into the second and third floors. Yonkers Assistant Fire Chief Robert Antulov said, adding that all three floors suffered damage as well as the roof space.
When we arrived it was heavy on the first floor, he said on the scene. Most of the fire was on the first floor."
Michelle Velazquez, who lives on the third floor of the building with her 2½-year-old son, said she heard fire alarms sounding in the hallways when she went to check out the noise. As she approached the first floor, Velazquez said, she saw smoke and noticed windows popping out.
It was out of control, she said, standing in the street with her son, who was shoeless because she didnt have time to grab anything on the way out of the home.
Velazquez said six families live in the building and the superintendent lives in the first floor where the fire began. He was not home when the fire broke out.
"I have no idea what I'm going to do," she said. "I don't know where we are going to stay."
None of the other residents were available for comment. According to published reports, the Red Cross is assisting the 16 victims who need help with lodging and necessities.
Neighbors said they were surprised by the amount of smoke pouring from the home as firefighters arrived.
There was a lot of smoke, said Jamie Guzman, who lives next door to the home. It was pretty crazy.
On Sunday, fire officials were unable to confirm reports that they were investigating arson as a possible cause, saying only the investigation is ongoing.
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