Bronx Fire: Firefighter Critical, 13 Others Hospitalized After Blaze Spreads Through Homes

Bronx Fire Outbreak

• 🔥 A major fire erupted in the Bronx, spreading rapidly through three single-family homes on DVO Terrace in University Heights.
• 🚒 Firefighters battled the intense blaze for nearly four hours, with flames seen fiercely emerging from the houses.

Injuries and Hospitalizations

• 🏥 A total of 14 people were hospitalized, including four members of the FDNY (one critically injured) and one FDNY EMS member.
• ⚠️ The other 10 individuals were residents of the homes; their injuries are not considered life-threatening.
• 🤝 Neighbors are credited with rescuing residents, including those who rely on mobility aids like scooters and walkers.

Fire Spread and Causes

• ⚡ The fire, which started in a middle house, spread to adjacent homes, fueled by what appeared to be lithium batteries for motorized devices.
• 💨 These types of fires are known to spread very quickly and are difficult to extinguish, consistent with the scene observed.
• 🚒 The fire escalated to five alarms due to its intensity and rapid spread.

Aftermath and Ongoing Efforts

• 🏚️ The affected homes are described as destroyed, with the Red Cross on-site to assist displaced families.
• 🔍 Firefighters continued to work on extinguishing hot spots hours after the initial outbreak.
• 🙏 There is widespread hope for the recovery of the critically injured firefighter.