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Police say the alleged attack happened at approximately 10:20 a.m. Sunday.

Members of the FDNY's Engine Company 9 and Ladder Company 6 said they walked across the street from a fire station on Canal Street when they witnessed a man and a woman arguing outside.

According to firefighter Jose Ortiz, the man then pulled a meat cleaver out and started hitting the woman in the head.

"He pulled the cleaver out of his waistband and starts hacking this woman," Ortiz said. "I rush him. I'm trying to grab the cleaver, but he's swinging. I would guess six, eight, maybe 10 times. He hit the woman in the head."

Ortiz said he and another firefighter were able to apprehend the man and flag down a police officer, who then arrested the man.

The woman then ran away before another firefighter directed her to emergency personnel.

"I ran back to the house and I grabbed the trauma bag," said firefighter Shane Clarke. "I chased her around the corner. She went into a restaurant, 13B. We confronted her there. She was very disoriented and very panicked. There was a little bit of a language barrier."

Police say the woman had several wounds to her face, back and hip.

She is listed in critical but stable condition.

Sources tell NY1 that the man and woman are married.