A five-alarm fire tore through the Bronx’s Little Italy Tuesday afternoon, leaving two people dead and eleven injured.
The fire broke out around 1:32 p.m. at 660 E. 187th St., between Belmont Avenue and Cambreleng Avenue, in a five-story mixed-use building. Initial calls reported smoke and flames, which had already spread to multiple floors by the time FDNY units arrived.
According to FDNY Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods, firefighters encountered heavy fire on the first floor upon arrival. The blaze quickly raced up the stairwell, engulfing much of the building. Portions of the roof and stairwell collapsed, forcing crews to shift to exterior operations as they worked to reach and rescue residents.
Officials said the building was more than 100 years old and not fireproof, conditions that made firefighting and rescue efforts significantly more difficult.
The fire escalated to a fifth alarm, bringing 84 units and approximately 270 firefighters and EMS personnel to the scene.
By the time the fire was brought under control at 6:37 p.m., officials reported a total of 13 patients. Two civilians were pronounced dead at the scene. Two others suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, while five firefighters with minor injuries were transported to Jacobi Hospital. Four additional civilians sustained minor injuries but refused medical attention.
The building houses commercial businesses on the ground floor, including Invictus Barbershop and the 187th Street Deli, with residential apartments on the upper floors.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said displaced residents have been connected with the American Red Cross for emergency housing and support services.
“Today the Bronx faces yet another fire that has rose to a five-alarm,” Gibson said at a press conference following the blaze, noting that it is the second major fire to impact the Belmont neighborhood in weeks.
New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera said in a statement that the building must be vacated due to the extent of the damage from the fire.
“I am deeply saddened by yesterday’s devastating fire at 660 East 187th St in Belmont that cause the death of two individuals, displaced 83 families, and destroyed 3 small businesses. The impact of this tragedy is significant, not only due to the toll that it will take on the families of those who perished, on those families who have become displaces overnight, on the affected business owners, and our entire Belmont community,” Rivera said.
Any residents who need help in recovery can call the Red Cross at 877-733-2767. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, located at 627 E 187th Street is collecting non-perishable food, clothing and toiletries.
The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation.
Reach Marina Samuel at msamuel@schnepsmedia.com. For more coverage, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!
