NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- An 80-year-old man was killed, and four others injured, Monday morning in an Upper Manhattan apartment building fire that may have been accelerated by waist-to-shoulder high debris in the unit.
The fire broke out shortly before 1:30 a.m. on the third floor of 660 Riverside Dr., a six-story building at West 144th Street in Hamilton Heights.
The 80-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene, the FDNY said.
Two women, ages 74 and 52, were hospitalized in stable condition. Two firefighters also had minor injuries.
Some residents were able to escape by using the fire escape on the fourth-floor apartment above the burning apartment.
“We had to clear out the fire escape by moving the refrigerator in the kitchen, and everyone passed through there,” said a resident of the apartment above. “We passed right by the fire. It was one of the most scary experiences I’ve ever had.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation. The FDNY said the fire may have been fueled by a large about of debris in the apartment, which was waist-to-shoulder high in many places.
