"With the amount of fire upon our arrival and the wind condition, it was a difficult fire," FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens told reporters.
WOMAN CHOKED, RAPED ON NYC MORNING JOG THROUGH SWANKY NEIGHBORHOOD
Firefighters battle a blaze at a Staten Island, New York home Friday. (WNYW)
Firefighters began working to put out the blaze and at least two became trapped in the home before one was able to get out. The other was rescued, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said.
Three firefighters were seriously injured and another 19 had non-life threatening injuries, the FDNY said. The seriously injured firefighters were in stable condition.
"They are alert. They're talking. They're cracking jokes, which we're very grateful for," Kavanagh said.
First responders found a large area of flames in the back of the home. There appeared to be a partial collapse in that part of the house.
New York City firefighters on the roof of a home of a fire that injured 20 fire personnel Friday. (WNYW)
The cause of the blaze has not been determined but officials say it started in the back of the home between two buildings and quickly spread.
"It was definitely what we consider a close call today," said Hodgens.