NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – An 8-year-old girl was critically injured after she jumped from a Bronx apartment building during a fire on Wednesday evening, officials said.
The fire erupted on the sixth floor of a 17-story apartment building on E. 169th Street, near Third Avenue, in the Morrisania around 6 p.m.
Citizen App video shows flames and smoke pouring out of windows on the sixth floor as firefighters respond.
Two-Alarm Apartment Fire @CitizenApp
540 E 169th St Yesterday 6:04:00 PM EDT
The girl jumped from a sixth-floor balcony, landing on a patch of dirt below, according to FDNY Deputy Chief Anthony Montera.
Although the girl broke both of her legs in the fall, Montera said the fact that she landed on the dirt "saved her a much more severe injury."
The girl was taken to Harlem Hospital, where she was in critical condition.
Eight other people, including another resident and seven firefighters, suffered minor injuries, according to the FDNY.
The FDNY said 78 firefighters responded to the fire, which was brought under control around 7:15 p.m.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Roger Stern
