FDNY Update: Washington Heights Apartment Fire Response and Injuries

Fire Department Response

• 🚒 The FDNY received a call for a fire at 106 Port Washington Avenue at approximately 8:46 PM.
• ⚡ Units arrived on the scene in under 4 minutes, indicating a very rapid response time.
• 🔥 The building is a six-story, non-fireproof multiple dwelling with 11 apartments per floor.

Fire Progression and Damage

• 💥 Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy fire on the fourth floor with rapid extension to the fifth and sixth floors, and into the cockloft.
• 🧱 The cockloft space, located above the top floor ceiling and below the roofline, expanded over all apartments, contributing to the fire's spread.
• 🏚️ Extensive damage has been reported to multiple apartments.

Casualties and Response Scale

• 🤕 A total of nine injuries were reported: three minor firefighter injuries and six civilian injuries.
• 🚑 EMS personnel treated and transported the injured civilians to area hospitals.
• 🚒 The fire escalated to a fifth alarm, requiring the deployment of 220 firefighters and EMS personnel.
• ⚠️ All injuries are not life-threatening at this time.

Occupant Displacement

• 🏠 Portions of the building will be vacated, with occupants of approximately six families being assisted by the American Red Cross.
• 🏥 Injured civilians were transported to local hospitals, primarily for smoke inhalation.