Four firefighters were injured battling a raging four-alarm blaze in Washington Heights Monday morning, officials said.
The flames started in a bodega on the first floor of the St. Nicholas Avenue building at around 10:30 a.m., spreading quickly to apartments and other floors, an FDNY spokesman said.
“As the smoke started rising in the apartment, people were yelling, ‘Fire, fire, fire!’ ” said Dimitry Valles, 19, whose fourth-floor flat was damaged by smoke.
One firefighter suffered serious injuries and was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital while three others were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
“[There were] very, very heavy fire conditions upon arrival,” said Deputy Chief Joseph Saccente.
Two civilians also were treated at the scene for minor injuries, officials said.