Man found dead in remnants of Bronx building fire
MOTT HAVEN, Bronx (WABC) -- A person was found dead after a fire burned through a building in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx on Wednesday morning.
Fire broke out in the commercial building on Third Avenue between E. 139th and 140th streets just after 5 a.m. The building appears to have a grocery store on the first floor with apartments above.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire at the front door. After firefighters extinguished the flames, a man was discovered dead in the building.
Firefighters said they observed people fleeing from second-floor windows upon arrival, and are now believed to be squatters living on the vacant second floor.
The structural stability of the building is compromised with a collapsed second floor and roof.
Searchers will confirm no one else was trapped in the building before likely taking it down.
The FDNY said two firefighters were taken to the hospital. An EMT was also checked out for her asthma and exposure to the smoke.
A stroller and clothes were brought out to some of the 12 displaced residents living inside the two next-door buildings.
The Red Cross is assisting two households that include nine adults and three children.
The Department of Buildings issued a vacate order to the tenants of the three damaged buildings.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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