NEW YORK — At least one man has been killed and dozens of families displaced by a fire that engulfed a sprawling apartment building in Yonkers, Westchester County overnight, authorities said.
The flames broke out in a 6-storey building in Bronx River Road around 1 a.m. on Wednesday. The fire had escalated to four alarms in an hour and had taken over the roof. The building has 95 units, says Property Shark.
Up to 15 firefighters were injured in the blaze, according to the Yonkers Fire Marshal. One was taken to hospital after being hit in the face by debris when the roof collapsed. Five or six other civilians were also reportedly injured, although details on the precise nature of their injuries were not immediately available.
It was also not known how many apartments had been destroyed. Investigators say the building is not fire resistant and believe the fire started on the first floor and then quickly engulfed the entire structure from bottom to top. Heavy flames erupted from the sixth floor, where most rescues would have taken place.
Firefighters initially had to take a defensive approach due to harsh fire conditions and windy weather, which made it difficult to fight the flames on the elevated side of the building, authorities said. They also had to work on a parking platform, which could not accommodate motors.
Firefighters doggedly battled the flames throughout the night and after dawn, finding hot spots each time they advanced.
Between 200 and 300 people were displaced, authorities said, and it took more than six hours to bring the blaze under control. Residents have been told to go to the community center north of the site, where the Red Cross is helping.
People in their pajamas were seen on the fire escape, screaming for help. Some were saved from balconies and windows. Nearly a dozen people were rescued in all, and three other towns brought more than 100 people to help.
Bronx River Road between Midland Avenue y Square of the Thousand it will be closed in the near future, police said. Other street closures in the immediate vicinity. Travelers are advised to avoid the area.
The investigation is ongoing.