NEW YORK (VINnews) — Flames broke out inside a Bronx firehouse early Friday, forcing firefighters to escape through ladders and shelter in place after a blaze spread through the building where they work and respond to emergencies.

The Fire Department of New York said the 3-alarm fire erupted shortly after 6 a.m. at Engine 79 in the Bronx, drawing more than 160 firefighters and EMS personnel to the scene.

Officials said the fire started on the first floor of the station and spread to the apparatus floor and stairwell, briefly trapping firefighters on the second floor of their own firehouse.

“This morning, one of our firefighters identified the fire and immediately alerted everyone in the building,” Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said. “Members on the second floor who could not access the stairway… sheltered in place in a room, closed the door behind them, and waited for assistance.”

Chief of Department John Esposito said Ladder 56 crews quickly arrived and removed firefighters using portable and aerial ladders as the fire escalated to a third alarm before being brought under control.

About 14 firefighters sustained minor injuries, and several were taken to area hospitals for evaluation, officials said. No life-threatening injuries were reported.

The FDNY said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Crews are working to relocate units and maintain fire coverage in the surrounding neighborhood while repairs are made to the damaged firehouse.

WATCH: @FDNYFC provides an update on a 2-alarm fire that occurred early Friday morning in the Bronx: https://t.co/brmHU2ppZf

— FDNY (@FDNY) March 27, 2026

Early Friday morning, the FDNY responded to a 3-alarm fire at Engine 79 in The Bronx, bringing more than 160 firefighters and EMS personnel to the scene.

During the incident, members operating inside the firehouse encountered fire on the first floor that extended to the… pic.twitter.com/Rv3jurK27Z

— FDNY (@FDNY) March 27, 2026