NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- Four buildings in the Bronx will have to be demolished following Tuesday’s townhouse explosion, city officials said.
Martha Dagbasta, 77, was killed in the Fox Street explosion that triggered a building collapse. Two other civilians, including the victim’s sister, and multiple cops were injured.
The city's Department of Buildings said Wednesday that four residential buildings will end up being demolished due to the blast — the one where the explosion came from, one on either side of that building, and another at the end of the block.
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DOB officials said the demolition orders at 865, 867, 869, and 871 Fox St. are "in the interest of public safety due to structural instability at the site." 873 Fox St. was also evacuated, but a demolition order has not been made there.
The DOB said inspectors remained at the scene Wednesday, continuing to investigate the incident. Gas service remains off at 865-873 Fox St.
All evacuated residents were put in touch with the American Red Cross.
Stunning video was released by the NYPD Tuesday, showing cops making a daring rescue inside a building that was engulfed in flames.
Firefighters responded to the scene in just four minutes, according to FDNY Assistant Chief John Hodgens, and quickly “entered the building that were not collapsed to conduct searches.”
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Mayor Eric Adams at a press conference called the incident “tragic” and “frightening” and praised FDNY and NYPD members for their heroic and speedy actions.
Officials said the cause of the explosion is unclear, but gas has been turned off on the block for the time being. Con Ed told NBC4 that despite speculation that it was gas-related, it said now that there’s no indication that that is the case, despite residents reported smelling gas.
The explosion was just miles away from the deadly fire in the borough that killed 17 people on Jan. 9.
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