Staten Island fire injures 34, including one critically

A stubborn early morning, five-alarm fire in Staten Island injured 34 people, including one critically, said a spokesman for the Fire Deparment of New York.

The blaze broke out just after 1 a.m. in a two-story building on Chestnut Avenue in the borough's Rosebank section.

It was quickly upgraded to a four-alarm fire and then deemed a five-alarm blaze at 3:42 a.m., the spokesman said.

The flames were finally brought under control at 8:46 a.m.

A total of 23 firefighters and 11 civilians, including one critical, were injured. Their ailments ranged from minor to serious, the spokesman said.

The circumstances surrounding the start of the blaze were unclear. Victims were taken to two area hospitals.

The fire severely damaged three buildings on the residential block, displacing at least five families, said Michael de Vulpillieres, a spokesman for the American Red Cross Greater NY Region.

He said the Red Cross would provide services to those who needed it, including temporary housing as well as funds for food and clothing.