There were no reported injuries after a 3-alarm fire broke out in the University Heights section of the Bronx in the early hours of Thursday, Feb. 20, FDNY officials said.

 

An FDNY spokesperson said the department received a call at 1.29 a.m. for a reported fire at 2202 University Avenue, a 3-story (40 x 100) private dwelling in Fordham Manor by West 181st Street and West 183rd Street.

They said 33 emergency units, comprising 138 fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene and the fire was brought under control at 4.04 a.m. They said the cause remains under investigation.

According to NYC Department of Buildings (DOB), penalties are due in relation to the property for violations for failure to certify a correction of a Class 1 violation. According to City records, the property owner of the building, described as a one-family home, is Kokayi Sadiki. We’re attempting to reach Sadiki for comment. The building is reportedly vacant. We are following up on this and will share any further information we receive.

 

When contacted, Ned Klein from the Red Cross said that after the fire, the American Red Cross registered four adults for emergency assistance, including temporary lodging and financial assistance. “Our Greater New York Disaster Action Team also provided care items such as blankets,  socks, waters, snacks and toys,” Klein said.

He added, “Any residents impacted by this fire who need help with their recovery and have not already connected with the Red Cross should call 1-877-RED CROSS (877-733-2767) and select Option 1.”

According to DOB records, there are 13 complaints listed for the property and seven DOB violations regarding various matters, all of which are listed in the attached screenshots. When contacted for more information, David Magiotto from DOB said regarding the most recent of the six violations from 2019, logged Nov. 15, 2019, for failure to comply with the Commissioner’s Order to file a Certificate of Correction with DOB,  it followed a Sept. 4, 2019 violation for failure to maintain the building, after DOB inspectors found the front porch was in a hazardous state of disrepair.

Regarding the fire, Magiotto said DOB inspectors were called to 2202 University Avenue for a structural stability inspection, and at the scene of what they described as a two-and-a-half-story, detached wood frame building, inspectors observed fire damage throughout the structure, including a roof partially open to the elements.

According to DOB, as a result of the fire damage, the department issued a Full Vacate Order at the property, as well as an emergency order to seal the property in the interest of public safety. They said inspectors also observed that fire had spread to 2206 University Avenue, but assessed that the damage to this property was minor and non-structural. They said an interagency meeting was scheduled at the scene of the fire today, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. to continue assessments.

In terms of DOB’s response to the prior complaints at this address that they said were received after the violations were issued, on Dec. 2, 2024, DOB received an FDNY referral to inspect the vacant building. They said at the site of the inspection, DOB inspectors observed missing glass in windows on the first and second floor, and approximately 30% of the front door missing.

 

They said that due to the unsafe conditions, DOB inspectors issued an emergency order to seal the property. They said that on Oct. 22, 2021, DOB inspectors had responded to a 311 complaint alleging people were living at the vacant property. They said having visited the site thereafter, inspectors did not observe anyone on the premises, and all windows and doors were intact and locked.

Meanwhile, according to NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD), there are no reported violations or complaints.

 

As reported, there were no injuries reported following another residential fire at DeKalb Avenue in Norwood on Sunday, Feb. 16, though one person was displaced and there was damage to the building. Meanwhile, six people, including one firefighter, were injured in a separate residential fire on Rochambeau Avenue in Norwood on Friday, Feb. 14. Read our follow-up story on residents’ reaction to that fire here.

 

On Thursday, Feb. 13, a car fire broke out in a parking lot also on Rochambeau Avenue in Norwood close to Montefiore Medical Center’s Moses campus, resulting in no injuries but damage to other vehicles, FDNY officials said.

As also reported, two people were killed in a Buddhist Temple fire on Wednesday, Feb. 12, in Fordham Heights. FDNY officials said a parked vehicle blocked access to a fire hydrant, hindering their response.

 

There were also no reported injuries following a track fire at Woodlawn Subway Station on the Norwood/Woodlawn border on Jan. 29.

Click here to read FDNY’s fire safety tips. “During a fire, always close the door behind you!” fire officials say. “It helps contain smoke and flames, giving you precious time to escape. Your quick action can make the difference.”