Suspect charged after allegedly jumping from burning Bronx building; 2 firefighters hurt
WAKEFIELD, The Bronx (WABC) -- A recently evicted man is under arrest and facing charges after a fire in a Bronx apartment building injured two firefighters.
FDNY officials say they received reports of a fire and people jumping out of the window at 4140 Carpenter Ave. between East 230th and 231st streets in the Wakefield section.
Crews arrived on the scene at 8:15 p.m. to discover fire on the fourth floor of the six-story building.
Officials say crews were able to quickly get lines in place and extinguish the fire on the fourth floor, and some flames that had extended to the fifth floor.
Two firefighters were taken to Jacobi Medical Center for minor injuries.
No civilians were injured, but police located 42-year-old Juan Jiminez who they say may have jumped from the fourth floor, and took him into custody.
A source close to the investigation told Eyewitness News that Jiminez who was taken into custody was an emotionally disturbed person who was previously evicted from the building. He was apparently squatting in the vacant apartment.
The source says the apartment should have been vacant at time of the fire. They say Jiminez was carried to Montefiore Wakefield Hospital at end of the block.
Fire Marshals are investigating the cause of fire.
Jiminez is now facing charges of burglary, arson and aggravated cruelty to animals.
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