Firefighter collapses battling Bronx fire, was likely saved by smoke inhalation drug

Three firefighters were hurt, two of whom suffered serious injuries, while battling flames at a house fire in the Bronx Friday afternoon, according to the FDNY.

The blaze broke out around 3 p.m. at a home on White Plains Road in the Clason Point neighborhood, the fire department said at a press conference. A man who lived at the home said he believed it may have been an electrical fire that was sparked in the basement before spreading the the first and second floors. An official cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

One of the firefighters had complained that he was having difficulty breathing and was pulled out of the fire unconscious, according to fire officials. He was treated at the scene and a given a drug that reversed the effect of cyanide poisoning, the FDNY said, noting that the drug likely saved his life.

All three injured firefighters were taken to the hospital. Two were said to be seriously injured, but both were expected to recover, the department said. The third firefighter was awake and alert, and will be kept overnight.

No other injuries were reported. Five people were displaced from their homes, fire officials said.