Queens apartment fire

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A fire at an apartment building in Queens left several people hurt, including some cops and firefighters, on Friday afternoon.

The fire broke out at about 11:20 a.m. inside an apartment at 88-00 Shore Front Parkway on the Rockaway Peninsula, officials said. The fire was on the 11th floor of the 13-story building.

Police officers arrived on the scene first, followed by firefighters.

Firefighters entered the apartment that was on fire from the adjacent balconies, Assistant Chief Edward Baggot said, because of the wind. He said that had firefighters opened the front door of the burning apartment, flames would have quickly spread throughout the building.

Nine police officers and three firefighters were hurt. Some suffered smoke inhalation.

Three residents were hurt; one critically.

Firefighters had the fire under control by about 12:50 p.m.