Firefighters battled bitter cold and a fire that ripped through a three-story building in Parkchester.

Dozens of units responded to the fire, which started around 5:30 a.m. at 1216 Olmstead Ave. in a wood-frame building and took almost two hours to get under control. Firefighters said the fire could have spread to other buildings, given the wooden structure, but it didn't.

A deli occupies the first floor of the building; the two other floors are residential. Officials said the residential floors were vacant at the time of the fire, and they believe those floors were being renovated. The deli wasn't open at the time of the fire.

In addition to battling the fire, firefighters dealt with freezing pipes and hoses in bitterly cold weather. A fire official said a frozen fire hydrant delayed their efforts, but they used equipment to thaw the hydrant.

Three firefighters suffered minor injuries.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.