New York

Fire Devours 6-Story NY Apartment Building; 1 Dead Amid Harrowing Rescues

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At least one man has died and dozens of families displaced by a raging fire that devoured a sprawling apartment building in Westchester County’s Yonkers overnight, spewing a large plume of smoke into the air, authorities say.

The flames broke out at a 6-story apartment building on Bronx River Road around 1 a.m. Wednesday. The fire had intensified to four alarms within an hour and overtaken the roof. The building has 95 units, Property Shark says.

Up to 15 firefighters were hurt in the blaze, according to the Yonkers fire chief. One of them was taken to a hospital after being hit in the face with flying debris as the roof collapsed. Another five or six civilians were also said to have been hurt, though details on the specific nature of their injuries weren’t immediately available.

It also wasn’t known how many apartments were destroyed. Investigators say the building is not fire-resistant and they believe the fire started on the first floor, then rapidly engulfed the entire structure from the bottom up. Heavy flames were shooting from the sixth floor, where most of the rescues were said to have taken place. Firefighters initially had to take a defensive approach due to the tough fire conditions and the wind, which made it difficult to battle flames on the elevated side of the building, officials said. They also had to work across a parking deck, which couldn’t hold engines.

Firefighters doggedly battled the stubborn flames through the overnight hours and past sunrise, encountering hotspots each time they made headway.

Anywhere from 200 to 300 people are displaced, officials said, and it took more than six hours to get the fire under control. Residents were being told to go to the community center north of the scene, where the Red Cross is assisting.

People were seen on fire escapes in their pajamas, yelling for help. Some were rescued off balconies and from windows. Nearly a dozen people were rescued in all — and three other towns brought more than 100 personnel to help.

Bronx River Road between Midland Avenue and Mile Square will be closed for the near future, police said. Other street closures in the immediate vicinity. Commuters are advised to avoid the area.

The investigation is ongoing.

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