Massive fire erupts at Bronx apartment building injuring 2 firefighters, damaging units
The New York City Fire Department classified it as a 4-alarm fire. Altogether, 39 units and 168 fire and EMS personnel responded.
Firefighters in the Bronx worked to save an apartment complex that caught on fire.
Around 6 p.m. Wednesday, someone reported the fire, which had broken out at 3030 Heath Avenue in the Bronx, the New York City Fire Department said.
Firefighters arrived in under four minutes, the department said. They saw heavy flames on the complex’s top floor and the cockloft, or the space above the top floor ceiling and under the roof. Flames were also coming through the roof, the department said.,
“Our engine companies moved in very aggressively, stretching multiple hand lines to that top floor and also to the roof,” the department said.
Watch heavy flames at Bronx apartment building
2 firefighters injured, heavy damage reported
According to the department, the rescue team had to cut the roof open to make the save.
By 8:08 p.m., the fire was under control, a spokesperson from the fire department confirmed to Paste BN Thursday morning. Fire Marshals are investigating the cause of the fire.
No residents were injured, but there six to eight units suffered “extensive damage," fire officials said. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries.
The New York City Fire Department classified it as a 4-alarm fire and said altogether, 39 units and 168 fire and EMS personnel responded.
The American Red Cross is helping to relocate residents.
A different Bronx apartment fire happened last week
Wednesday's fire comes nearly a week after a different fire left more than a half-a-dozen people injured, including firefighters.
Someone called the New York Fire Department around 1:45 a.m. Friday, the fire department said. Classifying the incident as a 5-alarm fire, the fire department said firefighters worked to search and remove people from the building.
The fire was "extremely dangerous" for firefighters, so fire officials ordered them to head out and fight the flames from outside the building.
Hundreds of firefighters showed up to fight the flames, officials said, adding that there was a "a heavy wind condition that advanced the fire."
According to the department, all the apartments on the building's top floor were destroyed and the fire burnt through the building's roof.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on Paste BN's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.