Deadly fire in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn prompts FDNY to remind drivers not to park near fire hydrants
NEW YORK -- A fire in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn turned deadly overnight, and the FDNY says parked cars were blocking two of the closest hydrants.
Fire officials said the flames broke out around 3:40 a.m. Sunday on the third floor of a four-story building on 80th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues. Firefighters spent about an hour trying to get it under control.
Three people were rushed to NYU Langone-Brooklyn, where police said a 37-year-old man was pronounced dead. A 34-year-old woman and 2-year-old boy were treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
"When he would see me in the streets, he would say hi, hello," resident Nesy Orosio said of the man who died. "You can't believe that so suddenly something like that could happen so fast."
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the deceased victim's name has not been released.
"Seconds count in an emergency"
The FDNY shared a message on social media, reading, in part, "parked cars blocked the two closest fire hydrants as firefighters responded to a fire at about 3:45 a.m. The fire turned fatal."
"Seconds count in an emergency. Keeping fire hydrants unobstructed helps firefighters respond quickly," the message continued.
The post also included two photos showing the vehicles that were parked by the hydrants. One appeared to be covered in snow, with the words "Get Off Hydrant" written on it.
At this point, it's unclear if or how the vehicles impacted the department's response.
It is illegal to park within 15 feet on either side of a hydrant in New York City, and tickets cost $115. Officials are asking residents to call 311 to report any blocked or improperly opened hydrants.
Another heads up for drivers, alternate side parking rules will be suspended Monday for snow removal operations.
