At least 13 hurt in Ocean Avenue blaze

At least 13 people are injured and dozens are homeless after a fire erupted in a building on Ocean Avenue early Tuesday morning. Fire officials say the blaze started at around 2 a.m. in the apartment

News 12 Staff

Jul 1, 2008, 11:03 PM

Updated 5,945 days ago

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At least 13 people are injured and dozens are homeless after a fire erupted in a building on Ocean Avenue early Tuesday morning.
Fire officials say the blaze started at around 2 a.m. in the apartment of Pablo Puentes, the superintendent of the building at 1001 Coney Island Ave. According to authorities, the super, his wife and a pregnant daughter were among those injured. The super's 7-year-old son was injured as he jumped from a window to escape the fire.
The boy is now in a hospital in critical condition. Six other residents were also taken to a hospital and they are in serious but stable condition. In addition, fire officials say that three firefighters received minor injuries.
Firefighters managed to stop the flames from engulfing the floors above and below, but officials say 12 families were displaced by the fire. The Red Cross says it will make sure the families have a place to stay for the night.
Firefighters from Engine 255, Ladder 157 say the fire was one of the worst they?ve ever experienced. However, they also say it was one of the best rescues they?ve ever seen.
Witnesses of the fire say that residents of the building also took part in the rescue operation. In one case, a resident tossed a baby out the window to a neighbor who was standing below to catch the child.
Officials say the cause of the fire is under investigation, but they believe it might have been accidental.