Two firefighters were trapped in a raging four-alarm blaze in Brooklyn yesterday, authorities said.
The Bravest were battling flames that engulfed two Bedford Avenue buildings near North Eighth Street in Williamsburg when a rear room on the top floor of one structure collapsed, pinning two smoke-eaters to the floor.
Borough Commander Chief James Leonard said the situation was eerily similar to a collapse at a Brooklyn fire in 1991 that killed a firefighter.
“Fortunately, the members on the scene were able to rescue our two firefighters,” he said.
The two were taken to New York Hospital in stable condition, and two civilians were treated at the scene. The blaze was extinguished shortly before 3:30 p.m.
The windows of the Cross County Federal Savings Bank were blown out, and the Ella Café next door was damaged.
Joseph Grillo, 38, said he was working at the nearby Berry Street wine shop he owns when his wife called and said that their apartment was on fire.
“She heard the fire alarm, and put the cat in a laundry basket,” he said. “She waited outside and watched while the fire happened. Our apartment is gone.”