Flame inferno in New York: Firefighters battle four devastating forest fires!
New York (USA) - After devastating forest fires raged in Los Angeles in January , the East Coast of the USA has now also been hit: An inferno of flames has put New York in a state of emergency.
On Saturday, four forest fires broke out in the metropolis, sending residents into a panic.
As the New York Post reports, Governor Kathy Hochul (66) immediately declared a state of emergency.
Shortly after 1 p.m. local time, thick, black clouds of smoke filled the sky above the city. Driven by strong winds, the flames spread quickly and residents had to be evacuated.
Pine Barrens, an extensive area of pine trees on Long Island, was particularly badly affected.
Wildfires rage in New York
There have also been casualties: one firefighter suffered second-degree burns and had to be taken to hospital, another sustained minor injuries.
It is not yet possible to say exactly what started the fires - according to one resident, however, one broke out after a car accident when a vehicle suddenly burst into flames.
Firefighters and the military are fighting the flames from the ground and from the air. According to the authorities, around 50 percent of the fire had already been contained by the evening.
Nevertheless, there are warnings that it could be days before the situation is fully under control.
The disaster is reminiscent of the terrible fires that raged in the same area 30 years ago.