A horrific fire ripped through a high-rise apartment building in the Tremont section of the Bronx on Sunday morning. 63 people have been injured in the catastrophic fire. Of that number, 32 individuals have life-threatening injuries. Another nine people are in serious condition. According to emergency responders and medical personnel at area hospitals, “numerous fatalities” are anticipated in the coming hours or days among those with life-threatening injuries.
200 firefighters responded to the 5-alarm fire that appears to have started in a duplex unit on the third floor of the large apartment building. Many of those that have been injured in the blaze were found on the upper floors of the residential structure. These individuals are thought to have suffered what is being described as severe smoke inhalation.
New York City Fire Department Commissioner Daniel Nigro held a grim press conference Sunday afternoon. At the briefing, he did confirm that fatalities sadly are expected. He went on to describe the massive blaze as being “unprecedented.”
The Commissioner went on to compare the Sunday Bronx fire as being akin to the deadly 1990 fire at the Happy Land Social Club in 1990. The Happy Land blaze resulted in the deaths of 87 people. Bearing in mind that no cause for the Sunday Bronx fire has been determined, the Happy Land fire was the result of arson. A man set fire to the building after getting into some type of argument with his former girlfriend while in the Happy Land Social Club. After being thrown out of the club, the man set the building on fire.
The newly inaugurated Mayor of New York confirmed the comments made by the Commissioner. "This is going to be one of the worst fires we have witnessed here in modern times in the city of New York," the mayor stated.
The fire was extinguished by early afternoon, thanks to the efforts of large number of firefighters battling the blaze and engaging in rescue efforts. As of the early part of Sunday afternoon, it was believed that all people who were thought to be in the building have been accounted for. This number includes the significant number of people who have been hospitalized.
Victims were found on every floor of the apartment building. Many of these individuals were in cardiac or respiratory arrest at the time they were found by rescue personnel. The victims of the fire have been taken to five area hospitals.
As of this time, there is no information on the cause of the catastrophic fire. An investigation into the cause of the blaze has only just been initiated.
This inferno represents the second major Bronx fire this weekend. The other major blaze occurred in the Bronx on Saturday morning and left three families displaced. There were no fatalities in that fire.
The Saturday Bronx blaze occurred in Fordham Heights. It was a 4-alarm fire. Investigators have concluded that the Saturday morning Bronx fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery.
Another horrific fire involving a multi-family structure occurred last week in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia fire killed 13 people, including seven children.
If you or a loved on have been injured in the Bronx fire, the legal team of The Doan Law Firm is here for you. We’ve initiated a 24-hour hotline for you at (646) 847-0000. You can connect with a Bronx fire lawyer any time of the day or night by calling this telephone number. This hotline will be active every day of the week, including holidays, in the aftermath of this tragic situation.
We can arrange a meeting with a caring Bronx fire lawyer at our offices, which are located at:
14 Wall Street
20th Floor
New York, New York 10005
(646) 847-0000
We can also arrange an appoint for you with a Bronx fire attorney at any other location that is suitable to you. A virtual consultation can be scheduled online as well. There is no charge whatsoever for a consultation with a Bronx fire lawyer.
The Doan Law Firm makes an attorney fee pledge to you. Our firm will never charge an attorney fee unless we win your case for you.