NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Seven people were hurt by a raging five-alarm fire at a six-story apartment building in the Bronx on a windy Friday morning, the FDNY said.
The blaze erupted around 1:40 a.m. on the top floor of 2910 Wallace Ave. in the Allerton section.
Videos show a wall of flames and smoke devouring the top of the building as dozens of firefighters respond and a tower of glowing smoke rises over the night sky.
The inferno increased to a two-alarm fire within minutes, and it was a five-alarm fire less than an hour later, according to the FDNY.
Nearly 200 members of the fire department responded and were working the scene on an especially frigid morning. The fire department said winds helped fuel the flames.
The fire injured five firefighters and two civilians, five of whom were hospitalized, the FDNY said. Most of the injuries were described as minor.
One civilian was also treated at the scene and declined transport to a hospital.
Many more residents were displaced, with some saying they lost everything in a tragic start to the new year. The Red Cross said it was assisting more than 65 families—over 160 people—and expected that number to rise.
Operations to bring the fire under control were ongoing after 7 a.m.
A shelter for displaced residents was set up at P.S. 076 The Bennington School at 900 Adee Avenue, the FDNY said. Mayor Eric Adams visited the shelter.
It's not yet clear what sparked the fire. An investigation is ongoing.