Brief Via MS-NBC Used with permission from NBC News Wednesday was a trying night for Utica firefighters. A general alarm fire broke out just before 7 p.m. at 849 Bleeker Street, sending several families from the building and firefighters to the scene. Some of the firefighters had to jump out of windows and slide down ladders to escape the flames and smoke. Others waited until their fellow firefighters could break through the flames to save them.
Videos reveal steam coming off several firefighters as they emerged from the fire.
The residents have found another apartment to live in already thanks to the Red Cross. The fire not only destroyed the Bleeker Street home, but left the one next door unsafe as well, and 19 people from that building have not yet returned to their home. Red Cross officials say they could use clothing, food, furniture and money to help the victims. The firefighters hurt in the blaze are on the road to recovery, and now fire investigators are trying to piece together just how the blaze began. Fire investigators say it looks as if the fire started in the back of the building, but are not yet sure if it was arson.