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26 Firefighters Hurt in Massive Fire in East Flatbush

By  Dan Rivoli and Paul DeBenedetto | July 26, 2012 11:52am | Updated on July 26, 2012 2:40pm

A massive fire broke out on New York Avenue in East Flatbush.
A massive fire broke out on New York Avenue in East Flatbush.
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DNAinfo/Dan Rivoli

EAST FLATBUSH — Twenty-six firefighters were injured while battling a seven-alarm blaze inside an East Flatbush building Thursday, officials said.

The fire broke out on the top floor of 665 New York Avenue, between Winthrop Avenue and Hawthorne Street, about 10:00 a.m., the FDNY said.

The inferno raged for more than three hours before it was brought under control at 1:38 p.m., officials said.

None of the injuries appeared to be serious, officials said. The injured firefighters were transported to Kings County and Long Island City hospitals in stable condition, they said.

One other person was treated at the scene with minor injuries and refused further medical attention, officials said.

Meanwhile, neighbors believed the fire may have been caused by a bolt of lightning.

"I was inside my room, and the lightning went, 'Boom!'" said Susan John, a resident of the building. "I looked through my window, I see the fire trucks there, I knew something was wrong."

The FDNY could not confirm that lightning caused the fire.

It took more than 200 firefighters to extinguish the blaze. The cause was under investigation.

Councilman Mathieu Eugene, who represents East Flatbush, said the fire could have been worse.

"I give praise to the Lord, because there is no death," he said at the scene.