2 people killed when fire breaks out at 5-story building in the Bronx
NEW YORK -- A fire on Wednesday morning in the Bronx killed two people and injured several others. Dozens were left without a home.
Some family members showed up at the scene in the Wakefield section of the borough inconsolable, too devastated to speak.
The fire started in apartment 5A, moved to 5B, and quickly spread throughout the building at 735 E. 242nd St., near Barnes Avenue.
The NYPD confirms a woman and a 30-year-old man were pronounced dead.
"It's hard. It's hard. It's difficult. It's very difficult," resident Rebecca Porter said through tears.
Porter had just learned her neighbor, a woman she says only moved into the building a few months ago, was killed in the fire.
"She seemed to be a quiet person. She lived across from me and we just said hi whenever we came across each other's path. She looked like a nice, quiet person ... because her windows connected to my window," Porter said.
"I really pray for their families and their loved ones because this is just horrible," another person said.
Footage from Chopper 2 shows firefighters on the roof, battling the fire through heavy smoke. The FDNY said the blaze broke out a 5:30 a.m.
"Very scary. It was dark. The smoke was all over the house. We were frantic. All we could do is jump and leave the house," Porter said.
"Red, huge flames coming through the next building. I was so scared for my children and for myself," resident Lotachukwu Rodriguez said.
Our office is on the scene of a 3-alarm residential fire in our Wakefield community that has killed two residents and injured civilians. We are thankful for the swift response of the FDNY, NYCEM, NYPD and Red Cross. Our prayers to all injured. More updates to come. 🙏🙏
— Hon. Vanessa L. Gibson, MPA (She, Her, Hers) (@Vanessalgibson) June 14, 2023
Fire officials say one of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene. The second died at the hospital. Several first responders were also injured.
"We have four firefighters and one member of the EMS with injuries. One firefighter was burned, and a couple had minor injuries," Deputy Chief Ken Scanlon said.
The FDNY says by the time firefighters got inside the whole ceiling was down. The department is not sure yet if fire alarms were operating. Tenants said they never heard them.
"I did not hear fire alarm anywhere, none anywhere, none anywhere at all. I had to wake up, knocking on people's doors. I had to literally go floor to floor," Rodriguez said.
About 100 tenants -- many in their pajamas, some with pets, and kids clutching teddy bears -- were waiting to see if and when they will be allowed back in the building.
The Department of Buildings is still trying to figure out if the apartment building is structurally safe to re-enter. Meanwhile, the Red Cross was on the scene helping those who have nowhere to go.
The process of finding a place to stay was taking a little longer than usual, officials say.
"We have seen a challenge with the migrant crisis. A lot of our commercial hotels are filling up very quickly," Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said.
"We're going to a school now, I think," one mother said.
The Fire Marshal's Office is still investigating the cause of the fire.