Suspicious Bronx Fire Injures 13,
The blaze occurred at midnight Monday morning and started in two locations in the same stairwell
WPIX-TV 6/22/09
An early morning suspicious fire
has injured 13 people, including four firefighters in the
Melrose section of The Bronx.
The all-hands fire occurred just before 12am at a six-floor
apartment building located at 1132 Clay Avenue. "There were
flames this time and the whole floor turned red," evacuated
resident Jenny Gonzalez told PIX News.
FDNY officials deemed the blaze suspicious because the fire
began in two separate locations in the building's stairwell.
Though residents were quickly evacuated at midnight, the fire
left nine of them injured. Mike Gonzalez, who lives in the
building, said, "Thank God the Fire Department came on time and
they were able to control it."
Eight residents, including at least one child, were sent to
Jacobi Hospital and one woman was transported to Bronx Lebanon
Hospital in serious condition. One man told PIX News he jumped
out of his window in order to escape the flames.
Four firefighters were also injured as they were trying to
contain the flames. Three were taken to Jacobi Hospital and one
was sent to Weill-Cornell Medical Center for burn treatment.
Residents were allowed back into their apartments at around
3:30am. There are least 24 apartments in the damaged building.
Residents told PIX News they heard popping noises, which may
have come from firecrackers, before the fire occurred.
Since the fire is suspicious and may have been set
intentionally, the building is considered a crime scene. Fire
inspectors and members of the NYPD Crime Scene Unit are still at
the scene conducting their investigation.
|
|
|
FDNY Major l FDNY Rescues l FDNY Brotherhood l FDNY Events l FDNY Profiles l FDNY Events |
