Huge fire in Belmont, Bronx, spread quickly due to open doors, FDNY says

The New York City Fire Department said a deadly five-alarm blaze in the Belmont section of the Bronx spread quickly because doors that should have been closed were left open. 

Flames broke out Tuesday afternoon at a five-story building on 187th Street. More than 200 FDNY fire and EMS personnel responded as heavy smoke poured out of the building. 

"During this fire, the apartment door to the fire apartment was left open, so the fire, the heat, the smoke, the contaminants spread throughout this building, trapping members in their apartment," Chief of Operations Kevin Woods said Friday during a news conference. 

Woods said the three things everyone should do during a fire are: leave immediately, close the door behind you and call 911.

The FDNY also posted a warning on social media telling New Yorkers, "In the event of a fire, always CLOSE THE DOOR behind you. Doing so isolates fire and can prevent the spread of smoke, heat, and flames. It saves lives."  

Victims were trapped in stairwell

First Deputy Commissioner Dan Flynn said firefighters were on the scene in about three and a half minutes, but "the fire was well advanced by the time they arrived." 

Two people were killed after being trapped in a stairwell, including a 17-year-old girl, a relative told CBS News New York.

"The two victims in this fire that lost their lives, unfortunately were found in the stairwell. That is due to the open door. That is due to them not having a plan. They came from the upper floors. They could have used that fire escape," Flynn said. 

Eleven people were injured, including five firefighters. About 80 people were displaced.  

Firefighter details rescue

FDNY Captain John Hunt said firefighters saw multiple people hanging out of windows, and on the roof and fire escapes when they arrived.

Hunt spoke about saving one man who was trapped on the third floor. 

"A civilian came and grabbed me, would not let go of my arm. Kept saying 'My brother's trapped! My brother's trapped!' I get into the back, I looked up, I saw him at the third-floor window. He was in desperate need. He was running short of time," Hunt said.

The man was completely cut off from any fire escape, the captain said. 

"He had his head 6 inches out the top of the window. He had the window and an air conditioner underneath. The air conditioner was screwed into the window," Hunt said. 

Rescuers used a portable ladders to get him out as Hunt gave the man instructions on what to do. At one point, the man told Hunt he was exhausted and couldn't get out.

"We had the ladder set up and [a firefighter] was able to get up the ladder, get the rest of the air conditioner out of the way. He grabbed him, we took him out head first down the ladder," Hunt said. "I told him you're gonna make it." 

The captain commended the crews involved for their teamwork. 

"The operation, like I said, with every guy that came here, was unbelievable," he said. 

Community remembers teen killed

Michelle Gonzalez, 17, did not make it out alive, according to her sister-in-law.

"She was just a happy person, very loving, very caring," Anayelli Gusman said. 

Business owners who knew Gonzalez are mourning her loss. 

"Those of us who really knew her will carry her with us," said local pizza shop owner David Angeles.

The identity of the second victim has not yet been released.

"It's just unfortunate that two people lost their lives in a fire," Belmont resident Tanisha White said. "I'm proud that everybody came together." 

Residents lose everything 

Survivors of the fire are struggling with immense loss and no place to live. Some were guided down from rooftops as the flames raged and smoke filled the air, while others made it down fire escapes. 

Luciano Silva said he only had minutes to get out when he noticed the fire. 

"It was me and my mom, and my dogs. We had a cat, but sadly, he wasn't able to get out," Silva said. "[I'm] hopeful one day we can be able to get back inside to see if we can salvage anything because we lost everything in it."  

Surveillance video showed people rushing to escape the building as the fire burned. Neighbors were seen trying to bring residents to safety using ladders. 

Another video shows a person with smoke coming off his clothes as others rushed to help him. Abdulrahman Albahri, who works at a nearby deli, was among the community members who jumped in. 

"They're like family," he said.   

Residents in need of help should reach out to the American Red Cross. A reception center was set up at a nearby high school, before it reverted to normal operations.