Third body discovered in Bronx apartment building after deadly explosion, fire

Updated 2 hours ago
NORWOOD, The Bronx (WABC) -- A third victim was found Saturday following an explosion and fire at an apartment building in the Bronx earlier this week, according to the FDNY.

The fire broke out around noon Wednesday at 374 E. 209th Street. It started on the second floor and destroyed all of the floors above it.

One man was pronounced dead that day. He lived just above where the fire broke out. However, officials feared that there could be another victim.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said Friday that the man's wife, a grandmother in her 60s, remained missing.

A tenant who was displaced and has nowhere to live said she knows the missing woman.



"Terrible because I know her, everyone is looking for her, they're calling her, and she's not answering, but I feel like they can't even reach her. I feel like if she is here, they won't be able to reach her, and that's sad... It's really, really sad," said Ellesse Falcon.

On Friday evening, a second body was removed from the building, but the identity of the victim has not yet been revealed.

On Saturday afternoon, the FDNY said a third victim was located inside the fire building.

Officials have not released the identity of the third victim.

The FDNY also rescued three dogs from the building. Officials say they heard them barking and brought them out.



Meanwhile, the dozens of other displaced tenants are staying at hotels provided by the Red Cross, but Falcon said she has two service animals and didn't want to be separated from them, so she is now living out of her car.

The city is still trying to determine what caused the fire, but that may take time since the FDNY cannot yet get inside to investigate.

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