The NYPD rescued four men from a burning apartment building in Astoria on Monday afternoon after pushing in an air conditioning unit to gain access into the building.
Officers from the 114th Precinct received a call at about 2:25 p.m. on Monday and responded to a house fire at 23-44 28th St.
The five officers heard screams on the first floor calling for help and could only gain entry by pushing an air conditioning unit inside of the house, police said.
The officers were met with heavy smoke and removed two men from the house. The remaining two occupants were able to walk out on their own, according to police. The civilians sustained minor injuries and the five officers were treated for smoke inhalation. According to authorities, the apartment building sustained extensive property damage.
The fire is being investigated and is being ruled as suspicious in nature.
According to published reports, one of the rescued residents was in a wheelchair. He reportedly lives in the apartment with his nephew and two other men rented an apartment in the same building.
