The Associated Press
Rescuers had to cut through floor-to-ceiling debris to reach a man trapped in a burning apartment that was filled with hoarded belongings. The fire injured 19 people, 14 of them firefighters.
The tenant, whose name was not released, was hospitalized in critical condition following Monday’s three-alarm blaze, which burned for nearly four hours as more than 150 firefighters fought to control the flames, officials said.
The firefighters had to use saws and other tools to cut through piles of computer components, books, clothing, metal gates and wooden planks.
Fourteen firefighters and four other civilians were injured; 11 of the firefighters were treated at hospitals but not admitted, and the others were treated at the scene, fire department spokesman Charlie Markey said Tuesday.