Massive Manhattan Apartment Fire Leads To More Than A Dozen Injuries

A raging all-night fire in the East Village left 14 people hospitalized Wednesday, authorities said. The stubborn, smoky blaze broke out in a five-story building on First Ave. near E. 11th St. about 1:45 a.m., FDNY officials said. After responding firefighters put out most of the blaze, flames spread between the first-floor ceiling and the second floor. As the blaze raged anew, FDNY brass called for more backup and ordered firefighters out of the building. A short time later, there was a partial collapse of the first-floor setback, officials said. “This is going to be a prolonged operation,” FDNY Chief of Department James Leonard said.