19 injured in compactor chute fire at Brooklyn apartment building
NEW YORK -- A fire inside a NYCHA building in downtown Brooklyn on Saturday night injured at least 19 people, including 12 seriously.
The FDNY said it started in a third-floor compactor chute at the Farragut Houses on Bridge Street at around 11 p.m.
Residents said flames spread to the garbage room, causing thick smoke to fill up hallways and apartments. Some residents said they were sleeping, when they were jolted awake.
"The fireman knocked on the door and said, 'Everybody evacuate,'" Grace Miller said. "I was scared. My heart was beating fast. I was afraid."
"When we looked out into the hallway, it was nothing but smoke. Couldn't even see. It was zero visibility," Richard Nelson added.
The fire was contained to the garbage room, and was put out about an hour later, officials said. One firefighter suffered minor injuries.
Residents said most of the people suffered from smoke inhalation.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.