On February 2, a five-story apartment building in the Claremont section of the Bronx caught fire. The four-alarm fire off the Grand Concourse and East 167 th Street burned the top floor and cockloft of the apartment building.
Firefighters faced obstacles when three frozen hydrants made it difficult to bring the blaze under control. Despite the challenges, the crews rescued two elderly residents who are now in stable condition. Eighty-two people are now without housing, and the American Red Cross is working to help displaced residents.
According to news reports, the building’s top floor was severely damaged by the fire, resulting in blown-out windows and concerns about structural integrity. There were reports of prior electrical issues in the building that may have contributed to the fire’s outbreak. Residents also reported water damage and concerns that the heavy weight of the water used to extinguish the fire could cause ceilings to collapse.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.