22 firefighters hurt, 3 critically in Staten Island fire

22 FDNY firefighters hurt, 3 critically in a Staten Island fire

Union officials say the temporary closure of a nearby fire house caused delays in crews responding to the fire.

NEW YORK – Three FDNY firefighters were critically hurt fighting a fire on Staten Island on Friday.

The injured were rushed to Staten Island University Hospital North.  At least one of the firefighters was being taken to the intensive care unit for burns, a source told FOX 5 News.  The FDNY later said all three were awake and alert.

19 other firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

3 FDNY firefighters were seriously hurt battling a fire on Staten Island on Friday.

The 4-alarm fire broke out in a house on Shotwell Ave. in the Arden Heights neighborhood, according to the New York City Fire Department.

The call came in just before 1: 30 p.m. and the flames started spreading quickly.

3 FDNY firefighters were seriously hurt battling a fire on Staten Island on Friday.

When firefighters got there they found a large area of flames in the back of the house.  At some point there appeared to be a partial collapse in that part of the house.

Firefighters rescued a lieutenant from the second floor after he transmitted a mayday signal during a search for occupants in one of the homes

A nozzle man involved in the rescue was hit in the head by falling plaster, dislodging his mask and forcing him to breathe in heavy smoke, Chief of Department John Hodgens said.

A nozzle man involved in the rescue was hit in the head by falling plaster, dislodging his mask and forcing him to breathe in heavy smoke, Hodgens said.

Another firefighter jumped from a second-floor balcony after getting trapped by fire, Hodgens said.

"I cannot emphasize enough that this was a very close call for the FDNY," Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said. "We could have lost three members today."

The fire spread to a second home.  Fire Marshall investigators were at the scene to determine the cause of the fire.

3 FDNY firefighters were seriously hurt battling a fire on Staten Island on Friday.

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.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.