Bronx fire that left 1 person dead, firefighter injured deemed suspicious

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Bronx fire that left 1 person dead, firefighter injured deemed suspicious
Josh Einiger has the latest updates.

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, The Bronx (WABC) -- One person was killed, and a firefighter was injured in a fire in the Bronx Friday.

The FDNY says the fire broke out just after 2 p.m. at a three-story building located at 2533 Grand Ave. on West 190th Street.

They say the fire was on the second floor and extended to other floors, including the attic.

One person was killed and a firefighter suffered minor injuries.

FDNY officials say the man who was killed was found dead in the attic.

The fire was placed under control just before 5 p.m.

Building inspectors are now trying to figure out if the home had been illegally subdivided, or if ongoing construction inside had proper permits.

With no known cause for the blaze, fire marshals are treating it as suspicious, particularly because of where the victim's body was found.

"It appeared not to be a livable space," said FDNY Dep. Chief William McCormack. "We did find no bed in there. We don't know what he was doing in that attic."

Neighbor Ozzie Amarat says nothing would surprise him on this block.

"I'm going to be honest with you here, it's always weird activity," Amarat said. "Cops, fire department constantly here. So it's like a normal day to me, honestly."

It's not yet clear how the fire started.

The Red Cross is assisting families impacted by the fire.

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