UPDATE Bedford Park: 14 Firefighters Injured following Fire at Firehouse

By SÍLE MOLONEY

FDNY COMMISSIONER LILLIAN Bonsignore and FDNY officials hold a press conference following an early morning fire on Friday morning, March 27, 2026 at 2928 Briggs Avenue, a two-story (50X120) firehouse and headquarters of Engine 79/Ladder 37 in the Bedford Park section of The Bronx.
Photo courtesy of the Citizens’ App

Fourteen firefighters were injured following an early morning fire in the Bedford Park section of The Bronx, fire officials said.

Department officials said they received a call at 6 a.m. for a report of a fire at 2928 Briggs Avenue, a two-story (50X120) firehouse and headquarters of Engine 79/Ladder 37, located near East 200th Street and East 199th Street.

Fourteen firefighters were injured following an early morning fire on Friday morning, March 27, 2026 at 2928 Briggs Avenue, a two-story (50X120) firehouse and headquarters of Engine 79/Ladder 37 in the Bedford Park section of The Bronx.
Photo courtesy of the Citizens’ App

They said there was fire on two floors and all members have been accounted for and that as of 8.47 a.m., 14 firefighters were being evaluated for minor injuries.

They said the fire was brought under control at 7.36 a.m. and fire marshals were investigating cause and origin.

FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore was on scene on Friday morning holding a press conference following the incident. “We had quite the morning,” she said, adding that all the firefighters on duty at Engine 79/Ladder 37 were inside the firehouse on Friday morning working when one of them noticed there was a fire on the first floor.

“He immediately alerted everyone in the building to give them the opportunity to get out,” she said. “They called for extra help. We had some firefighters on the second floor of the building who could not get out through the stairway so they did exactly what we ask everybody to do, exactly what we teach – was to shelter in the front room and to close the door behind them, which gave them the opportunity and bought them time for another fire unit to come and help evacuate them from the building.”

She continued, “We had a couple of minor injuries at this time. Everybody is ok, thankfully. We’re grateful for that. I will just tell the folks in this neighborhood that fire service will continue, not to worry. We are here and we’ll continue to serve this area.”

FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito then gave an update on the operations at the scene, saying a 6 a.m. the house watchman in the firehouse became aware of a fire on the first floor and alerted everyone. “The cause and where it started is under investigation, but the fire did extend to the apparatus. Fire Engine 79’s fire truck was involved with fire. That fire was spreading up the stairs and members on the second floor had difficulty getting downstairs.” he said.

Esposito continued, “Ladder 56 arrived quickly and was able to remove members from those second floor windows by portable and aerial ladders. We do have one member that’s at Jacobi [Hospital] with minor injuries, and other members that are being treated and evaluated.”

He said about 60 fire and EMS units, comprising 165 fire and EMS personnel responded to the fire, which, he said was a normal response for a third-alarm fire of that nature. He said the fire was brought under control and the cause is being investigated.

“We’re also in the process with our facilities folks to figure out where these fire companies are going to be moved to ensure we have appropriate fire protection for the neighborhood while the fire house is being repaired,” he said.

In response to a question on how the fire spread, Esposito said, “Where the engine is parked is adjacent to the stairwell to the second floor so as the fire spread to the fire truck, the fire then was extending up the stairs, which was adjacent to where the fire truck was, similar to what you would have in a regular residential building or a private dwelling.. that the fire is going to go up any enclosures.”

In response to a question about the timeframe for getting back into the firehouse and for regular operations to resume, he said, “We’re not going to be able to operate from this firehouse for at least today. We’re currently evaluating where we’re going to move companies to ensure appropriate protection for the neighborhood.”

As reported, one person died and nine people were injured following a fire in the Belmont section of The Bronx on Thursday, March 26.

As reported, there were no injuries reported following a separate residential fire in the Kingsbridge Heights section of The Bronx that also broke out in the early hours of Thursday, March 26, FDNY officials said.

FIRE SAFETY WORKSHOP dates Part I
Source: The Office of the Bronx Borough President

Also, as reported, thirteen people were reported injured following an afternoon residential fire in the Kingsbridge section of The Bronx on Tuesday, March 17, [St. Patrick’s Day] in a six-building complex which houses around seven daycare centers.

That incident followed another large fire, as reported, where several small businesses were damaged on East Gun Hill Road in the Laconia section of the East Bronx on March 6. The latest fires have prompted Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and the FDNY to launch a further series of fire education and safety workshops across the borough.

On March 18, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson announced that, in conjunction with the FDNY, in response to the high number of fires experienced across the borough in recent times, fire education and safety workshops would be rolled out across the borough in the weeks ahead. “We hope that you will find the time to attend one of these important workshops for you and your family,” she said.

FIRE SAFETY WORKSHOP dates Part II
Source: The Office of the Bronx Borough President

“From smoke alarm demonstrations, to common causes of fires, our community is learning emergency preparedness tips on how to stay safe and ready in any situation,” she added, “Find a workshop that works best for you and your family. Locations are listed on our website.”

As reported, two injuries were reported following a recent residential fire in the Norwood section of the Bronx on Decatur Avenue on March 13.

Click here to read FDNY’s fire safety tips. “During a fire, always close the door behind you!” fire officials say. “It helps contain smoke and flames, giving you precious time to escape.”

UPDATE Bedford Park: 14 Firefighters Injured following Fire at Firehouse

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