According to a report from ABC7, three Fire Department of New York (FDNY) firefighters suffered smoke inhalation after a four-alarm fire erupted in a Bronx apartment building, then spread to another building late Thursday afternoon.
FDNY officials said crews were dispatched to the low-rise apartment building at 4055 Carpenter Avenue in the Wakefield section just after 5 p.m. Approximately 200 fire personnel responded to the scene.
One civilian also suffered injuries.
Resident Carlos Cabrera’s said the fire started in his fifth-floor apartment after a candle he thought was out actually wasn’t.
He said he was about to go to the supermarket late Thursday afternoon when the lights went out. He then saw a strange glow.
Almost immediately, flames enveloped the roof.
FDNY Chief John Hodgens said the fire spread to the cockloft area quickly, starting a heavy fire condition that engulfed the whole cockloft area. The flames then spread to an adjoining building through a common space.
The residents in the living spaces below were unaware of the fire raging above them, since this type of building required smoke detectors in individual apartments only. There was no smoke below the fire, only water, which came down from the fire fight above.
Department of Building inspectors found that the building endured severe structural damage, which included a partially collapsed roof, charred wood joists, and unstable interior walls. As a result, they issued an order for the entire building to fully vacate.
Residents from 54 apartments were displaced.
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