Close Call For NY's Bravest In Queens Three-Alarm Fire

CBS 2 - April 10, 2011

by Terry Sheridan

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A three-alarm fire in Queens left 13 firefighters injured and resulted in a mayday call after one responder became trapped after the floor gave out from under him.

The close call came when the firefighter, reportedly a lieutenant, fell through the floor. The fire department said he was able to walk out on his own. Sources said he was in serious, but stable, condition, and that his injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Sources said another firefighter found himself trapped and was forced to use rope to rappel out a window, where he was able to land safely on a neighboring roof.

The other firefighters' injuries were considered minor.

The blaze began at around 10 a.m. Saturday at a three-story Belle Harbor building with commercial space on the first floor and apartments above.

Authorities said no residents were hurt in the fire, but the Red Cross was responding.