FDNY: 1 dead, 9 others suffer minor injuries in multi-alarm fire in Bronx building
get the free app
NEW YORK -- A Bronx family is in mourning after their loved one was killed in a fire on Tuesday morning.
CBS2's Leah Mishkin spoke with the grandson of the woman who died.
Flames poured out of 2194 Valentine Ave. in the Fordham Heights section of the borough at around 9 a.m. Kareem Parker was inside the building with his mom and grandmother.
"First thing I was looking for was my grandmother," Parker said.
The 28-year-old said he couldn't find her and the heat was escalating, so he escaped out the back window. He said his mom made it out, too, but his grandmother did not survive.
"She was a good person in this community. She was known. She was known," Parker said.
The FDNY said nine other people, including three firefighters, suffered minor injuries.
"It traveled to the next building over, one building over. We have minor damage to subsequent buildings, but the major damage is to the fire building and the next building over," Acting Chief of Fire Operations Richard Blatus said.
Oriana Melendez's mother-in-law lives in the building next door.
"They were screaming and when they were screaming so she just got out. Her granddaughter took her out," Melendez said.
As her mother-in-law sat on the stairs of a church across the street, she worried for her dog still inside the apartment. It was unclear when she could go back to get him.
"She's sad she couldn't take the dog out," Melendez said.
Miles Jenkins also rushed out of his apartment when he saw the heavy smoke.
"The white one had the most flames coming out the middle ... Most of the flames was coming out the back of the houses," Jenkins said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Bronx Borough President, City Councilmember release statement
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and City Councilmember Oswald Feliz released the following statement Tuesday:
"Less than six months since the horrific fire at Twin Parks North West and we are once again mourning the loss of one of our residents in Fordham Heights to another tragic fire. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the resident we lost today and we offer prayers of comfort and healing to the ten individuals, including four firefighters, that were injured. These fires happen too often in our communities and we owe a debt of gratitude to the FDNY, NYPD, OEM, American Red Cross and other first-responders that responded swiftly and immediately. We will continue to monitor this situation and work to secure housing accommodations and other resources for the impacted families. Additionally, we will be taking all steps necessary to ensure fire safety challenges do not continue to plague our borough."
Department of Buildings gives update
Department of Buildings investigators say the fire tore through the two-story building and damaged six neighboring buildings.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Firefighters get blaze under control
A large firefighter presence is still on scene. Many people from neighboring buildings are waiting to get word on what to do next.
Richard Blatus, the FDNY's acting chief of fire operations, said the department was called at around 9 a.m. and units responded in four minutes. Two people were found inside the building where the fire originated. One was treated and released, but the second person died. There were five additional minor injuries in the building next door and three minor injuries to firefighters.
People who live on the street told CBS2's Leah Mishkin they saw the heavy smoke and rushed out of their homes.
"The white one had the most flames coming out the middle, the white house right there. Most of the flames were in the back. Most of the flames were coming out the back of the houses," Miles Jenkins said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
1 death confirmed in fire
The FDNY says one person has died in the fire on Valentine Avenue near East 182nd Street.
It broke out around 9 a.m. and spread to neighboring buildings.
In addition to the person reported dead, there were eight other injuries, including two firefighters and six civilians. All of the injuries are said to be minor.
Fire in vacant building grows to 4 alarms
A fire at a Bronx building grew to four alarms Tuesday morning.
It broke out in a vacant home on Valentine Avenue near East 182nd Street.
The FDNY says the home, while vacant, may have been occupied by squatters.
Six injuries have been reported, although fortunately none of the injuries appear to be serious.