Firefighters rescue 1 person from high-rise fire at NYCHA building in Brooklyn
NEW YORK -- One person was rescued and hospitalized with serious injuries after a fire broke out at a NYCHA building Wednesday morning in Brooklyn.
The fire started shortly before 10 a.m. at the Hughes Apartments on Sutter Avenue near Mother Gaston Boulevard in Brownsville.
FDNY officials said the fire began on the fourth floor of the 22-story high-rise, where witnesses reported someone was trapped inside.
Watch FDNY presser on fire rescue
"We came out of the stairwell on the fourth floor, we had a heavy smoke condition, and we knew we had to get in there, because like we said, we knew somebody was in there and they were trapped," FDNY Lt. Salvatore Mirra said on the scene. "We made our way to the door, we forced the door... and upon initially doing our searches, once we passed the hallway by the kitchen area, we found an unconscious victim on the floor."
The victim was rushed to Brookdale Hospital in serious condition.
"We're just hoping for the most positive outcome that we can have," Mirra added. "Everyone did a fantastic job, this is what we train for. This was a live opportunity today to practice what we train for, and everyone's team work was the reason today was so successful."
Firefighters were on the scene within three minutes and had the flames under control about a half hour later.
A total of 12 people were hurt.
The fire marshal's office is now investigating the cause.