Two firefighters were treated for minor injuries after a four-alarm, residential fire broke out in the Kingsbridge section of The Bronx on Wednesday night, displacing dozens of residents. According to the FDNY, the department received a call at 5.56 p.m. on Jan. 15 for reports of a fire on the fourth floor of a 4-story building at 3030 Heath Avnue between Albany Crescent and Summit Place. [FDNY later said they believe it may have even started in the cockloft under the roof and spread to the top-floor but are still investigating.]

 

Fortunately, the fire broke out within walking distance of local Ladder 46 firehouse at Bailey Avenue and Heath Avenue.

 

FDNY Assistant Chief Kevin Woods, chief of operations, said the multiple dwelling was a non fire-proof, Class 3, H-type building [60 X 60] or utility property, which, in New York City, consists of land, buildings, specialized structures, and equipment. “Fire extended to the cockloft,” FDNY officials said. He said there are 6 apartments on each floor.

 

According to APX Data, in firefighting, a cockloft is a term used to describe the space between the ceiling of the top floor of a building and the roof. This space is often used for storage and is not typically occupied by people. During a fire, the cockloft can present a significant hazard to firefighters, according to experts. At the recent residential fire at 2910 Wallace Avenue in Allerton, which also displaced dozens of residents, the fire had also extended to the cockloft,” as reported. Read our follow-up story on that fire here.

 

FDNY officials said a 2nd alarm was raised for the Heath Avenue fire at 6.10 p.m., a third alarm at 6.15 p.m. and a 4th alarm at 6.40 p.m. The department said 39 units, comprising 168 fire and EMS personnel responded to the blaze, which according to Diana Finch from the Bronx Park East Community Association could be seen from her home on the 9th floor of her building in the East Bronx.

The FDNY said the blaze was brought under control at 8.08 p.m. and FDNY fire marshals are investigating the cause. Woods later said in part, “We arrived here in under four minutes. Upon arrival, we had heavy fire on the top floor, the cockloft, and through the roof. Our engine companies moved in very aggressively, stretching multiple hand lines to that top floor and also to the roof. Our ladder companies also did a phenomenal job opening up many of the voids in that cockloft and cutting open the roof.”

 

Wood said one of the main challenges encountered by firefighters was the wind which pushed the fire across the cockloft, which he said was undivided and extended across the roof space, adding that this made the response very challenging. “With this weather, as soon as this water hits the ground, of course it freezes upon impact.”

 

Asked if there was construction being carried out inside the building, the chief said there was not. Asked if they had made any rescues, Woods confirmed they did not and everyone self-evacuated. Asked about the 4-alarm nature of the fire, he said in part, “Firefighting is extremely physically demanding. It’s labor-intensive and the constant relief of the units, the amount of fire and the amount of apartments that are involved, it’s just very labor-intensive…..hence the fourth alarm.” Asked if the cause of the fire was potentially suspicious, Woods said it was under investigation.

 

He added in part, “There are no injuries to any of the occupants. There is extensive damage to approximately six to eight apartments. The fire is under control, and again, our units did a phenomenal job preventing further extension and damage.”

We spoke to Miguel, the super of the building, who lives in the basement with his family. Speaking in Spanish, he said everyone had been evacuated. Residents both from the affected building and some neighbors from other nearby buildings were seen standing in the cold on the street on an evening where temperatures had dropped to 28 degrees Fahrenheit, and frost and ice was seen on the street in places.

 

We asked Miguel if he knew how the fire started. He said, “I don’t know. I’m ok. I was downstairs.” He said his family were also ok. Miguel said those in the third and fourth floors in both buildings couldn’t return due to the fire damage. He seemed to believe the residents on the lower floors could. We’re checking with the Red Cross if that was the case and will update this story upon receipt of clarification.’

 

A Red Cross spokesperon later said, “After the fire on Heath Avenue in The Bronx, the American Red Cross has registered 17 households and 34 individuals (of which four are children) for emergency assistance including temporary lodging. Our Disaster Action Team also provided meals, blankets, toiletries, and other care items to impacted residents.”

The spokesperson added, “The Red Cross is still on scene to help connect with additional impacted residents. Any residents impacted by this fire who need help with their recovery and are not able to connect with the Red Cross on scene should call 1-877-RED CROSS (877-733-2767) and select option 1.”

Wood had said on Wednesday night, “There is extensive damage to approximately six to eight apartments, and those people are being relocated and taken care of by the American Red Cross.” However, on Thursday, the Red Cross advised us that a full vacate order is now in place for the building and referred us to NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) for the extent and duration of the order.

When contacted, DOB said DOB inspectors were called to the scene on Wednesday evening to conduct a structural stability inspection of the building following the fire. “Our inspection at the scene determined that the building sustained extensive structural damage caused by the fire, including charred wood joists, a partially collapsed roof, collapses of interior walls, and broken windows,” they said.

 

They continued, “As a result, DOB has issued a Full Vacate Order for the entire building, after it was determined that it was not safe for people to be occupying the fire-damaged building. All residents displaced by the fire were offered emergency relocation assistance by the American Red Cross.”

 

They added, “The Vacate Order will remain in effect until such time as the owner makes the necessary repairs to make the building safe for occupancy. DOB inspectors were back on scene earlier this morning, working with our partner agencies to conduct additional inspections of the fire damaged buildings and plan cleanup operations. DOB will be back on scene tomorrow morning for another interagency meeting.”

 

According to DOB records, there are open violations for the building with civil penalties due. Since Sept. 23, 2024, there is an open, active low pressure boiler violation number 06078.

 

In June 1, 2021, another Construction / Plumbing (OATH/ECB) violation number 39042008N was recorded for failure to maintain the building in a code-compliant manner. The notes read, “Observed on second floor apartments 2A and 2C in the kitchen area behind gas stoves, no gas valve, repair and replace.”

As of Jan. 15, a new construction violation number 25-00064 was recorded with the following update, “Structure rendered non-compliant at time of inspection, oberved severe fire, water & smoke damage throughout entire premises along with windows out, large sections of roof missing. Severe charring to structural wall/ceiling framing. Exposure #1 (Heath Ave) parapet wall severely leaning forward.”

 

The Red Cross later added that the initial number of 34 people helped by the organization reflected those present at the location on Wednesday night and those who had reached out to them later but has since been revised. “As of 3 p.m. today [Jan. 16], we are now at 21 households consisting of 45 individuals (of which seven are children),” Frederic Klein of the Red Cross said. “Any residents who were not available on-scene last night and who need help with their recovery should call us at 877-RED CROSS.”

On the evening of the fire, two MTA “Out of Service” buses were seen being waived past a police vehicle on Bailey Avenue at one point, likely called to pick up residents and transport them elsewhere. A Red Cross official was overheard talking to an official we believe was with NYC Department of Emergency Management about the possibility of relocating residents to a local school for registration.

 

Fire and emergency units could be seen all along Bailey Avenue from at least 230th Street, and the NYPD had blocked off the other end of Bailey Avenue at 231st Street. Meanwhile, Heath Avenue was also blocked off by the NYPD to vehicle traffic at Summit Place as more fire units, a Con Ed vehicle, and emergency vehicles almost filled the street to Bailey Avenue. An official from NYC Department of Sanitation was also seen at the site of the fire. Asked if a fire alarm had gone off, Miguel said, “No, no, no.”

We spoke to three other female residents, two of whom were just coming home from work to find the building on fire and one of whom had been inside in her third-floor apartment when the fire broke out. They all said they and their families were safe. One of the residents commented that it was a “lucky” time that the fire broke out as most people were at work.

 

The female resident who declined to be identified who had been inside her apartment appeared slightly traumatized by the event. Speaking in Spanish, she said, “Everyone is safe, thank God. I was inside and when I saw the smoke, I exited. The fire was upstairs on the fourth [floor]. I opened the door by the kitchen, I saw a fireman and I yell to my daughter, ‘Run out of your room. Let’s go. There’s a fire upstairs.'”

 

She added, “We went to the next door neighbor. She says, ‘stay here,’ but they started to go downstairs. I heard the neighbors calling, ‘Run, madam!’ and we went down the stairs. I was nervous when I saw the smoke. No one got hurt. I’m still nervous. I have not moved from where I am right now.”

 

Asked if she knew what started the fire, she said, “No, because it was upstairs. I don’t know.” Asked if it was difficult getting out with the smoke, she said it was more or less okay but there was water and glass falling down on top of them as they exited from the higher floors [as firefighters attacked the flames]. Asked if she had seen any injured people, she said, “No, no, no, it was calm.” Asked if she recalled hearing a fire alarm go off, she said she didn’t but heard the firefighters outside.

 

We asked the FDNY about alleged reports that no fire alarm was heard by some residents, and they responded, saying, “Part of the investigation conducted by Fire Marshals.”

Later we spoke to another female resident of the area who lived in 3018 Heath Avenue who said she was on her way home from work when she received a call from her 33-year-old son who lived in another building nearby (but not the affected fire building). Speaking in both Spanish and English, the resident said her son said to her, “’Mommy, mommy, be careful. There’s fire in the building.’”

 

Click here to view a short video by Norwood News of the scene, after the fire was extinguished.

 

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.”

 

*Miriam Quiñones contributed to this story.