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An eight-year-old girl was seriously injured after jumping from a sixth-floor balcony to escape a fire in her apartment in the Morrisania section of the Bronx Wednesday evening. Another resident and seven firefighters suffered minor injuries.

Firefighters responded to “an aggressive fire blowing out of the sixth-floor window” of the apartment building at 540 East 169th Street around 6 p.m., according to FDNY Deputy Chief Anthony Montera.

Firefighters called a second alarm shortly after arriving to the scene of the fire, requesting additional units to help in the firefight.

Approximately 25 units and 100 firefighters responded to the location to help contain the blaze. It was placed under control at 7:13 p.m.

Montera told [reporters](https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-fire-bronx-apartment-20210428-xih3em5z65fvlhpe5x5i5xcmzy-story.html) that the child who jumped landed on the dirt, rather than the pavement, and that might have saved her life. Immediately after the fall, neighbors reportedly rushed to her aid and shielded her from debris until firefighters arrived. She remains hospitalized with two broken legs.

“It appears she will survive, but it remains to be seen," Montera said.

Eight other people suffered minor injuries in the blaze, including seven firefighters, the FDNY said.

Citizen users shared videos of the apartment balcony engulfed in flames and firefighters climbing a ladder to the building.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Two-Alarm Apartment Fire, Child Seriously Injured in Jump From Balcony

Firefighters have received a report of an apartment fire.

According to firefighters on scene, the fire is located on the sixth floor at the rear of the building.

Citizen user video shows a plume of black smoke rising from the complex.

A Citizen user shows several firefighters on scene, where emergency personnel are blocking traffic at 3rd Avenue and E 169th Street.

The FDNY has transmitted a second alarm. This means that additional units are needed in order to respond to the blaze.

EMS personnel are tending to an injured person who attempted to "evade the fire."

Citizen user video shows firefighters extending ladders to an apartment as flames rise from the window frame.