Bullet proof vests saved two uniformed police officers

shot Monday in Brooklyn, authorities said. They were hospitalized in stable condition.

“They are two very lucky police officers,” Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said at a news conference. Police said the officers were investigating a report that a man had set a fire in the third-floor kitchen area of a boarding house. At the scene, the officers were directed to the one-room apartment of Jonathan Julian.

Kelly said the officers were able to push open the door, but the occupant of the cramped room fired two shots from a .44 caliber handgun. Officer Hector Ramirez was hit in the chest, and Officer John Antonacci was hit in the back, but bullets didn’t penetrate their body armor , police said.

Julian, 29, was arrested.