A harrowing two-alarm fire at an East Flatbush home left one resident dead and seven people injured early Tuesday morning— including two individuals who had to jump out a second-floor window to escape the heavy flames and smoke.
Fire Department sources said the blaze ignited at about 4:54 am on May 25 inside the two-story residence at 255 E. 95th St.
The first FDNY units arrived at the scene less than two minutes after being alerted to the blaze, Deputy Chief Stephen Moro reported. Firefighters observed heavy fire engulfing the first floor and reaching up to the second story, with plumes of thick smoke filling the entire structure.
The situation forced two people on the second floor to jump from a window to the sidewalk below, Moro said.
Firefighters went into the burning building and worked to knock down the fire while also conducting a rapid search for victims, the chief said. They were able to pull seven people from the residence.
One individual, age and gender unknown, succumbed to their injuries, Moro said. Another individual was hospitalized in critical condition, while five other residents are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Moro added that one firefighter was also hospitalized for treatment of severe burns.
Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control at about 5:46 am. The cause of the fire is unknown and now being investigated by FDNY marshals.
This story first appeared on AMNY.com.