Man, 57, killed in Bronx fire that tore through 2 homes in Fordham Heights
NEW YORK -- One person is dead after a three alarm fire in the Fordham Heights section of the Bronx.
Two homes that once housed multiple families are now a total loss after the fire erupted pn Bainbridge Avenue Monday night.
The fire destroyed almost everything inside, claiming the life of a 57-year-old man.
"I can't believe this actually happened. We lived here for a long time," a resident named Jae said.
Jae lived in one of the impacted buildings. He was standing in the cold Tuesday morning with nothing on but a Red Cross blanket, light jacket, hat and sunglasses, covering his face. This fire, he said, has flipped his life upside down.
"I don't know how we're going to get through this, and with the loss of a close family member, it's devastating," Jae said.
He said he knew the man who died Monday night, who he said was well known in the area for his artwork.
"We just seen him yesterday. He had his paintings down the street. He's a good painter," Jae said.
How the fire started remains the big question officials are working to answer. Just before 9:30 p.m., the FDNY said more than 130 firefighters responded to the incident, adding that three of them were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
"The whole roof is gone. My whole room is destroyed. The ceiling collapsed. Everything is ruined. Water flooded everything, it's burned out," Jae said.
Multiple families are displaced following the fire.
