[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

The New York City Fire Department was investigating Saturday the cause of an early morning fire in Brooklyn.

Flames broke out around 2 a.m. inside the vacant, four-story building located at 816 Washington Avenue in Prospect Heights.

About 140 firefighters from 44 fire companies battled responded to the call.

Fire officials say the top floors collapsed during the fire, causing a brick wall to fall onto the street.

Five firefighters were injured, one seriously.

“One received a laceration to the face when the wall collapsed. We were well back but the bricks go far and he got hit in the face with a piece of brick,” said FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief Jack Mooney.

Fire Marshals say residents waited too long to call 911, as some reported smelling smoke around 2 a.m. but didn’t call emergency services until after 4 o’clock.

The fire was eventually brought under control around 7:30 a.m.

Two businesses were completely destroyed while others suffered water and smoke damage.

Nearby residential buildings were also evacuated as a precaution.

“They were banging and ringing our bells to let everybody on the block know to get out of their house, you know, so we came out and we seen all of this fire and everything, we don’t know how it got started, or what happened. We were just woken up in the middle of the night,” said one resident.

“There’s water damage and smoke damage. I’ll be closed for at least, we’re not certain. But they’re about to tear down the building so we’re not too certain what’s going to happen with the coffee shop as it stands,” said one shop owner.

Fire officials say no one will be allowed back into the area until the Buildings Department checks the stability of the remaining walls.

Click HERE to watch teh video from a mobile device.

(Source: NY1)