Bronx Little Italy fire fueled by open doors, leaving 2 dead and 11 injured

FDNY officials say a series of open doors accelerated the spread of a five-alarm fire in Bronx’s Little Italy that killed two people, injured eleven others, and left dozens displaced.

Firefighters responded to a call at 1:32 p.m. at 660 E. 187th St., between Belmont Avenue and Cambreleng Avenue, arriving in under four minutes. By then, flames had already spread throughout the five-story, non-fireproof building, which was built in 1906.

Fire marshals said the apartment door where the fire originated had been left open, allowing flames and smoke to rapidly travel through the stairwells and compromise rescue efforts.

Two women were found dead in a stairwell above the apartment where the fire began by the time first responders arrived. With the stairwell no longer safe, firefighters carried out rescues using fire escapes and windows.

Two others suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Five firefighters with minor injuries were transported to Jacobi Hospital, while four additional civilians sustained minor injuries but declined medical attention.

In total, two civilians were pronounced dead at the scene. Two others suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Five firefighters with minor injuries were transported to Jacobi Hospital, while four additional civilians sustained minor injuries but declined medical attention.

Candles, flowers, and buzzballs are left to commemorate the lives of one of the victims who lived a block away from the fire. — Candles, flowers, and BuzzBallz are left to commemorate the lives of one of the victims who lived a block away from the fire. Photo by Marina Samuel

FDNY Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods emphasized the critical role closed doors play in slowing a fire’s spread by limiting the “flow path” that feeds flames with oxygen.

“We want you to do three things: we want you to leave immediately, close the door behind you, and once you’re safe, call 911,” Woods stressed.

He added that smoke and heat trapped families inside their apartments. Officials also noted that the building’s front entrance door had been propped open, further intensifying the fire.

“Somebody thought it was a good idea to prop open the front entrance door,” Wood said. “They thought they were doing the right thing.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the victims’ identities have not yet been released.

Families and friends of those affected are collecting donations. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, at 627 E. 187th St., is accepting nonperishable food, clothing, and toiletries.

Multiple verified GoFundMe campaigns have been created to support families impacted by the fire, including: