22 firefighters injured, 3 seriously, in multi-alarm fire at Staten Island home

There is an update on three firefighters seriously injured while battling a fire in the Arden Heights section of Staten Island on Friday.

One firefighter has been released from the hospital.

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The fire chief says it was a "very close call" for the FDNY members on the scene of the four-alarm fire. At least three firefighters remained in serious condition at Staten Island University North Hospital on Friday night.

Officials didn't detail the injuries, but we know two of the firefighters were trapped for some time, and a third was treated after something fell on his head and knocked his mask off.

Staten Island University North Hospital is the borough's regional burn center, and because of that, we're told almost two dozen others were taken there, but they have minor injuries.

In audio from a radio call, an FDNY member can be heard saying, "We just got another mayday from another company inside. Try to get him out guys."

There were tense moments as firefighters fought to put out the flames at 88 Shotwell Ave. They ended up fighting for their lives.

"As the firefighters were inside searching for occupants, the windows failed and the wind blew the fire intensely into the building right at the firefighters. Two of them became trapped by fire," FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens said.

Hodgens says one made their way to a second-floor balcony and jumped off; another transmitted a mayday signal that he was in distress on the same floor.

He says Squad Company 8 and Engine 168 were able to rescue the lieutenant.

But then, Hodgens says, "The nozzle man of Engine 168 was working very intense to put the fire out, understanding what the situation was, and he became a little bit disoriented, as well. He got hit in the head by, by maybe falling plaster, and it knocked his mask, his face piece off his face a little bit, and he took a good amount of smoke."

Friday night, the union for firefighters said the closest firehouse, Engine 167, was closed Friday due to scheduled firefighter medical exams. The president said in part, "New Yorkers should know that every company is unnecessarily closed four days a year because the city has been unwilling to pay the overtime to replace the staff that has been scheduled for medicals."

He claimed replacements at that firehouse would have lead to a faster response and possibly less injuries. He also said a responding engine company was involved in an accident on the way to the scene.

CBS2 contacted the FDNY for comment. A spokesperson referred us to Friday afternoon's press briefing, where the FDNY said units were on scene in under four minutes but did not mention the firehouse closure. 

Crews were still on the scene in Arden Heights on Friday night, where the neighborhood is in shock.

The fire started in the back of the home in the early afternoon hours, when wind made for dangerous conditions for the firefighters.

The FDNY says it isn't every day its members see this heavy amount of fire.

More than 200 firefighters and paramedics were on scene.

"I can't get over how many fire trucks are here. I can't believe it," neighbor Anthony Fazio said.

The FDNY says the fire started in the space between the rear extensions of the two units in the duplex. Vinny Pellizzi noticed smoke from the first floor in the back of the home.

"I wish I could've grabbed more, but you saw how fast it spread, so that was a difference between... All I had was my phone, the dog and my keys. That was it," he said.

Mayor Eric Adams also surveyed the damage caused by the four-alarm fire. Part of the home's rear extension collapsed. The siding on the duplex's two neighboring homes also melted.

Fazio, who lives across the street, first moved to the neighborhood about 30 years ago after he lost his home to a fire in Richmond Hill, Queens.

"I pray for them. That's all I can do because it's a horrible thing, believe me, to live someplace else," he said.

The Pellizzi family, who lives on the right side of the duplex, says they're just happy they're OK. Vinny Pellizzi's mom, Donna, looked back and said she raised her son in that home but says slowly but surely she'll replace what she's lost.

The family got help from the Red Cross.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Crews were still going in and out of the home Friday night, investigating what exactly started the fire. They had been there since early in the afternoon when it first broke out.

The FDNY says Friday's windy conditions made it harder for firefighters to do their job and may have contributed to their injuries.

"I saw fire. I called 911, grabbed the dog and got out," resident Vinny Pellizzi said.

Pellizzi was working on his computer, then noticed his power went out. He went downstairs and tried to turn on his circuit breaker, when he noticed smoke in the back of his home on the first floor.

FDNY Chief John Hodgens says it started in a space between the back extension of the two buildings in the duplex.

"There was a heavy wind condition at the fire, so as the firefighters were inside searching for occupants, the windows failed and the wind blew the fire intensely into the building right at the firefighters," he said.

Three firefighters are in serious condition. Two were trapped inside; one jumped from the home's balcony onto the driveway, and the other transmitted a mayday signal that he was trapped on the second floor. The third became disoriented after possibly being hit in the head by falling plaster, knocking the mask off his face, causing him to inhale smoke.

"I feel confident that our teams will continue to deliver the highest level of care to get us through this crisis, that is really winding down, we're all happy to see, as we take care of New York's Bravest here at Staten Island University Hospital," said Dr. Nicole Berwald.

Mayor Eric Adams also came to the scene after visiting the three seriously injured firefighters at the hospital.

Pellizzi's mom, Donna, says all that matters is that she and family, including the dog, are OK.

"It's only a house. It's OK. I raised my son there," she said. "It's a big shock."

FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said, thankfully, the firefighters were alert, even making jokes, but that for sure this was a very close call for them.

At this time, the cause of the fire is still under investigation and residents are getting help from the Red Cross.

Twenty-two firefighters were injured, three seriously, in Friday's fire.

As CBS2's Christine Sloan reports, Mayor Eric Adams visited the three firefighters at Staten Island University North Hospital.

FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh says while their conditions are stable but critical, she is hopeful they are going to be OK.

"I cannot emphasize enough that this was a very close call for the FDNY. We could have lost three members today. But it was thanks to the brave work of our members, including those who went in and saved their fellow firefighters, rescued the trapped members, brought them to EMS on scene who treated them immediately, and brought them to this hospital, who treated them right away," Kavanagh said.

"I feel confident that our teams will continue to deliver the highest level of care to get us through this crisis, that is really winding down, we're all happy to see, as we take care of New York's Bravest here at Staten Island University Hospital," said Dr. Nicole Berwald.

Kavanagh said the three firefighters are alert, talking and cracking jokes.

Fast-moving flames ripped through a Staten Island home Friday afternoon, leaving three firefighters seriously hurt.

The fire broke out just before 1:30 p.m. on Shotwell Avenue and quickly grew to four alarms.

Residents inside ran for their lives, and firefighters went in.

The back of the house partially collapsed while fire crews were inside. Fire officials say one of the firefighters inside the house sent a mayday call over the radio.

"The fire was started in between the two buildings in the rear and quickly spread to both buildings. There was a heavy wind condition at the fire, so as the firefighters were inside searching for occupants, the windows failed and the wind blew the fire intensely into the building right at the firefighters," FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens said.

"I saw fire. I called 911, grabbed the dog and got out," resident Vincent Pellizzi said.

"He saw flames coming in the back of the house. I was outside and he called, so we ran home," Pellizzi's father said.

"Heavy fire on arrival in the rear of 88 and 84. Members quickly became trapped. We had one firefighter come out the front window. We had one firefighter lieutenant who was rescued on the second floor of 84," FDNY Acting Borough Commander Chief Brian Gorman said.

The fire is now under control, thanks to those firefighters who put their lives on the line.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The FDNY posted photos from Friday's fire on Facebook along with statements from FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and Chief of Department John Hodgens.

The FDNY-Uniformed Firefighters Association president released the following statement regarding Friday's fire:

"The UFA is grateful for the bravery and dedication displayed by the rank and file members of the FDNY who responded to a fast moving fire on Staten Island today.

"Twenty-two Firefighters have been injured, three seriously, as a result of this blaze and we remain in close contact with them and their families.

"It's come to our attention that the closest firehouse to this fire, Engine 167, was actually closed today due to scheduled Firefighter medical exams. A closed 1st Due Fire Company means the neighborhood firefighters are not coming and are being replaced by firefighters from a further distance, which causes delays to the overall operation. 

"New Yorkers should know that every company is unnecessarily closed four days a year because the city has been unwilling to pay the overtime to replace the staff that has been scheduled for medicals.

"Compounding the company being closed, a responding engine company was involved in an accident on the way to the scene, delaying the response of much needed additional resources.

"Had Engine 167 not been closed, more firefighters would have arrived faster and put water on the fire that much quicker, resulting in less damage and possibly sparing some firefighters injuries. 

"We are thankful that there was no loss of life, and hopeful that this will be a wakeup call to the City to provide the resources to the FDNY to keep all firehouses open every day to help NYC Firefighters do their jobs and help keep both Firefighters and NYC residents safe."

FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh was joined by other fire department officials, along with doctors at Staten Island University Hospital. 

She said 22 firefighters were hurt in the blaze, three seriously. 

Eleven minutes after responding to the fire, there were reports of a firefighter down, Kavanagh said. Eighteen minutes in, a signal was transmitted for a trapped member. They were rescued. 

"I cannot emphasize enough that this was a very close call for the FDNY. We could have lost three members today. But it was thanks to the brave work of our members, including those who went in and saved their fellow firefighters, rescued the trapped members, brought them to EMS on scene who treated them immediately, and brought them to this hospital, who treated them right away, which is why we are here to say that they are stable while critical, but that they are going to be OK," Kavanagh said. 

The fire spread through both buildings, a FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens said. 

"There was a heavy wind condition at the fire, so as the firefighters were inside searching for occupants, the windows failed and the wind blew the fire intensely into the building right at the firefighters. So all of them became trapped by fire," Hodgens said. "One was able to make their way to a balcony and jump off the second floor balcony down into the driveway. And one transmitted a mayday signal that he was in distress, and he was on the second floor."

That lieutenant was rescued. 

Another firefighter, working the nozzle of a fire hose, was struck by falling debris which knocked his mask office, and he inhaled "a good amount of smoke," Hodgens said. 

"All in all, we're very happy to report that the members are in stable condition. It was definitely what we consider a close call today," Hodgens said. 

Friday afternoon, flames and thick smoke poured out of the house on Shotwell Avenue. 

Eventually, part of the house collapsed. 

Dozens of fire trucks, stretching for several blocks in every direction, were at the scene. 

The fire is under control, though firefighters are still checking for hotspots. 

The fire started just before 1:30 p.m. Friday, and it quickly grew to a four-alarm fire. 

The rear of the home collapsed as those firefighters were in the process of trying to save property, and lives.

In addition to the massive number of firefighters who are here on the scene, members of the Red Cross are also here trying to help those displaced residents in any way they can. 

"Members quickly became trapped," said FDNY Chief Brian Gorman. "We had one firefighter come out the front window. We had one firefighter, a lieutenant who was rescued on the second floor ... Members were not trapped in the collapse. Members were trapped in the heavy fire." 

The FDNY now says three firefighters suffered serious injuries and 17 have non-life-threatening injuries. 

The fire has been placed under control. 

CBS2's Nick Caloway reports the fire left eight firefighters injured, three seriously. 

Lt. Mike Giroux of the Yonkers Fire Department spoke with Dana Tyler about what firefighters encounter responding to such scenes. 

Family members who live in one of the homes spoke out about the incident. 

The FDNY now says eight firefighters were injured. Three have serious injuries. Five have minor injuries. 

A press conference is expected later this afternoon. 

The structure is a two family home. The Pellizzi family lives in one of the two. 

"My son was home. He saw flames coming in the back of the house, outside. And he called us, and we ran home. He called 911. They evacuated the house. The neighbors got out, and now, this is what we came home to," said Vincent Pellizzi.

"It's pretty devastating," said Donna Pellizzi. "I was out, running errands... My son called me and said come home right away."

"I can replace everything, eventually," she added. 

"I'm just glad that everyone is safe, and the dog is safe. That's what matters," their son Vinnie said. "All I know is a circuit breaker flipped. I was working, and I lost internet, and I saw a circuit breaker flipped. I went to go turn it on, and it wouldn't turn back on. So then I went downstairs, and I saw smoke coming in from the back area of the house." 

Vinnie said firefighters responded to the scene quickly. 

"We're thankful we're safe," he added. "I'm lucky. Everyone's safe. Things could be a lot worse."

The FDNY now says three firefighters are being treated for serious injuries at Staten Island University Hospital. 

The fire broke out around 1:30 p.m. in a two-family home on Shotwell Avenue in Arden Heights on Staten Island. 

It quickly grew to four alarms. 

Mayor Eric Adams has been briefed on the fire, CBS2 confirms. 

The fire broke out around 1:30 p.m. in a two-family home on Shotwell Avenue in Arden Heights. 

It quickly grew to four alarms. 

At least two firefighters suffered serious injuries. 

The fire broke out in a house on Shotwell Avenue in Arden Heights at around 1:30 p.m. and quickly grew to four alarms. 

Video from the scene showed thick plumes of dark smoke rising into the air. 

New York City's Office of Emergency Management is advising residents nearby the fire to close windows and avoid the smoke.