FDNY officials said one firefighter and two civilians suffered minor injuries after a fire broke out on the top floor of a three-family home in Bedford Park.

 

They said they received the call at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 20, for reports of a fire on the third floor of the home, located at 216 East 201st Street, and that 60 FDNY and EMS personnel, comprising 12 units responded to the blaze.

 

According to the fire department, the two civilians who suffered minor injuries refused medical attention. FDNY officials said one firefighter who also suffered minor injuries was transported to Jacobi Medical Center in Morris Park.

An FDNY spokesperson told Norwood News the fire was brought under control at 7.32 a.m., and that the cause has not yet been determined.

 

Hours after the blaze, the unidentified owner of the home was observed speaking with displaced residents, neighbors, and a work crew who he explained he had brought in to repair the building. The owner said the entire home was damaged from both the fire and the water used to extinguish the flames, adding, “The fire department did more damage.”

 

Asked about injuries, the owner told Norwood News, “No, nobody was injured.” Gesturing to an ambulance, he said, “The lady went in there after the fire because of all the smoke went in her lungs, but nobody was injured.”

Asked how the fire began, the owner said, “The guy was drunk. He lit the cigarette and he set the mattress on fire and that’s the way it started.” The owner, who’s lived in the home for more than two decades, said eight people including his own family were displaced. Asked if he would rebuild, the owner replied, “Yeah.”