Several hurt in Queens house early Sunday morning
NEW YORK -- Six people, including three firefighters, are recovering following a house fire in Queens.
CBS2's Leah Mishkin spoke with a woman who helped her neighbors escape.
The FDNY says three people were rescued from a second-floor apartment after flames broke out Sunday morning in the Richmond Hill section of the borough.
One local resident, who didn't want to be named, told Mishkin she happened to be awake watching TV in her living room on Sunday morning at around 3 a.m.
"I heard stuff being thrown from upstairs. That's when I saw from the reflection of the car that there was a fire upstairs," she said.
The 21-year-old told Mishkin she rushed to get her mom, dad and sister out of the apartment. She then went to the basement apartment to knock on the door to make sure all those people got out safely, too.
"I ran and we called the police and everything," one resident said.
The smell of smoke lingered in the air for hours after flames were extinguished. Severe damage was left behind.
"That fire quickly escalated to a third alarm with 39 units assigned," FDNY Chief George Healy said.
Healy said firefighters rescued three people from the second floor via ladder. At least six people were injured.
"I really hope they're OK," a first-floor resident said.
"EMS has transported three patients, civilians to the hospital with one refusing medical attention. Additionally, three firefighting members were injured, non serious in nature. Everyone should be alright," Healy said.
The owner of the home told CBS2, currently, nobody is allowed to move back in.
The insurance company has to come assess the damage. The cause of the fire is also under investigation, leaving several families displaced on this holiday weekend.