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Nine people have been injured in a fire that broke out early Wednesday morning.
Seven of those injured were firefighters, who responded to the 6-alarm fire which broke out before 2 a.m. at a five-story building on First Avenue. One of the injuries is said to be serious.
"I woke up and there were huge flames outside my window," one female resident told WOR's Alice Stockton-Rossini.
The building was evacuated and residents were forced out into the street early in the morning.
"I ran, woke her up and we ran out," the woman said.
Firefighters admit they’ve had trouble putting out the fire, in part because it was burning in the back of the building.
“Much of the roof on the first floor extension has burned away, but because of the collapse hazard we can’t get in there,” FDNY Chief of Department James Leonard said.
Nearby buildings were also evacuated, the street was closed down and schools in the neighborhood were closed for the day.
"I'm kind of upset because I had a math test today," one student said. "I studied really hard and it's just sad that the school's going to be closed. Hopefully tomorrow it's open."
The cause is being investigated. All of the injuries are said to be non-life threatening.