Photos capture rescue of child from Inwood apartment fire in NYC
NEW YORK -- Tenants had to be rescued as flames ripped through an Upper Manhattan apartment building Tuesday morning.
6 hospitalized after Inwood apartment fire
Pictures show the flames shooting out of the first-floor apartment on West 204th Street and heavy black smoke quickly making its way to the top of the six-story building.
More than 130 first responders showed up to get the flames under control. Some remained on the scene to monitor hotspots into the early afternoon.
Firefighters spent hours battling stubborn hot spots.
While the fire is under control, the cleanup is far from over. The fire chief said several apartments experienced smoke damage.
"First floor apartments and the second floor were affected by fire. The rest of the floors were affected by heavy smoke condition," Battalion 13 Chief Joe Dudley said.
Six people, including a firefighter, were hospitalized. Almost a dozen others were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Firefighters rescue trapped tenants during Inwood apartment fire
Firefighters were seen rescuing neighbors off fire escapes. Pictures show one firefighter carrying a small child to safety.
Vietnam veteran Leonard Rzepnicki, who uses a wheelchair, recalled the moments the fire sparked and large flames began to engulf his home.
"Pow, it was up to the ceiling. I couldn't, I had to get down like this to get out," he said, leaning forward in his wheelchair.
"I just saw the flames coming out of the window, going up," resident Alberto Ortiz said.
"Obviously, I am very shaky. It's terrible," said John Lupo, whose aunt lives in the building.
Resident Danuris Mieses said his whole family had to use fire escapes to evacuate.
"People in danger. It's people's lives," he said.
Many residents escaped with just the clothes on their backs. One woman was able to get her goldfish out. Others lost important documents.
"My passport, my papers, everything is here," resident Yamilex Ramirez said. "Now my heart is broken."
Just days before Thanksgiving, they're now dealing with the uncertainty of when or if they can ever return home.
The American Red Cross is assisting those impacted.