Dozens of families homeless, 8 hurt after Bronx apartment fire
ALLERTON, Bronx (WABC) -- At least eight people were hurt and dozens of families are homeless after an apartment blaze in the Bronx.
The fire broke out in the upper floors of the building on Wallace Avenue just before 1:45 a.m. on Friday.
Flames, fueled by heavy winds, burned through the roof. Hours later, firefighters continued to try to bring the fire under control.
"Heavy fire destroyed all the apartments on the top floor, burned through the roof," said Chief of Department John Esposito, FDNY. "Initially we had fire companies inside, conducting searches, removing people and attempting to fight the fire. The fire had too much headway, it's extremely dangerous to our firefighters."
One resident said they smelled smoke and then firefighters told everyone they needed to evacuate.
"Everyone just grabbed what they could and we left the building," said a resident named Jenny. "I would have expected a lot more smoke inside the building for the way it looked outside of the building."
At least eight people, including firefighters, suffered smoke inhalation in the fire.
"Thank God no life-threatening injuries," Mayor Eric Adams said. "But this was a massive fire and the wind played a major role."
Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker said it's "a miracle" that there were only minor injuries in the fire so far.
"No serious injuries to report, and that's a miracle," he said. "This was a very very large fire, wind driven. Very sad. Very difficult fire that firefighters continue to fight under conditions that cause to have lots of relief."
More than 66 families, some 180 people, were displaced.
"Let me start by saying this was a difficult night for the families. It was a cold, cold night," said Doreen Thomann-Howe, regional CEO of The Red Cross.
The Red Cross is assisting displaced residents, and a temporary shelter has been established at PS 76. An MTA bus also provided temporary shelter at the scene.
The Sanitation Department is clearing ice from the firefight that froze in the street. The Buildings Department will evaluate the stability of the apartment building.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation but residents tell Eyewitness News they've been without heat for some time and have made calls to 311.
Some even say people turned on their stoves and ovens to keep warm in the frigid temperatures and believe this may have played a part. Officials say they'll look into the 311 complaints.
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