Several injuries after East Village fire

A very smokey early morning fire tore through an East Village apartment, leaving at least nine people hurt.

It started in a six story building on 1st. Ave. around 2 a.m. on Wednesday.

Seven firefighters were hurt, including one with serious injuries.  Two firefighters suffered serious but not life threatening injuries.  The other 4 firefighters had minor injuries.

Two civilians were hurt.  One had minor injuries.  The other refused medical treatment.

The fire went to 6 alarms.  The FDNY says the first four floors of the building were damaged.  The first floor has businesses and the upper floors are apartments.

Two nearby schools were closed for the day because of the conditions in the area.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation.