Six firefighters were hurt battling a blaze that engulfed a home in the Bronx early Monday.
Authorities say the fire erupted shortly after 6:15 a.m. in a two-and-a-half-story private home on East 184th Street before it spread to two other buildings.
Nearly 200 firefighters responded to the call.
"Firefighters had to move in and try to put out the fire on the lower floors and continue to move up," said FDNY Deputy Chief Ron Werner. "While we're doing that, the upper floors became completely controlled by fire."
"Flames started coming out the front window, and then everybody was running outside," said neighbor Michael Tropia. "No one was dressed. The neighbors were quick to respond with towels."
The fire chief said firefighters tried to salvage the building but had to pull back for their safety. Six suffered minor injuries. One civilian was also hurt.
The flames were mostly doused by 8:30 a.m.
More than two dozen people were left homeless as a result of the fire. Red Cross is assisting them.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
