A four-alarm blaze on the top floors of a high-rise apartment building at 3485 Bivona Street on Saturday, January 24, in the Bronx killed one individual and injured at least 15 others.
Neighbors reported smelling gas shortly before 12:30 a.m. When firefighters responded, they saw people leaning out of windows calling for help as flames engulfed parts of the top floors. More than 200 fire and emergency crews worked the scene, according to the fire department.
FDNY Chief John Esposito said there was major structural damage to about a dozen apartments and fires in 10 apartments on the 16th and 17th floors.
The Red Cross registered more than 100 households and 305 people, including 89 children, for emergency aid.
Officials said the building had been undergoing renovations, and work on the natural gas system had been completed and inspected. The building was formerly run by the New York City Housing Authority, but has been under private management since 2024, city officials said.
Man Arrested in Connection with the Explosion
According to law enforcement sources, Samuel Calderon, age 55, who did not live in the building, was arrested for allegedly stealing a gas stove out of an apartment in the Bronx. He reportedly left the gas on, which caused the fiery explosion. He has been charged with murder, manslaughter, burglary, and a number of other charges stemming from the January 24 blast.