THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) — Cleanup efforts will continue after a Saturday morning fire damaged an apartment building in the Wakefield section of the Bronx, leaving several families temporarily displaced.
Crews removed debris from the building at 666 East 233rd Street.
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About half a dozen families are unable to return to their homes as a result of the fire, which broke out in a third-floor apartment earlier in the day.
A protective blue tarp now lines parts of the building’s interior, leading to units that sustained significant damage. Equipment has been stationed in the lobby and hallways as cleanup crews move in and out of the property.
The fire in a single apartment affected units directly above and below, leaving residents unable to return due to smoke and water damage.
“It’s smoke damage, and a lot of the windows are cracked. It could have been worse, honestly. Thank God everybody’s good,” said Michael outside the building.
The FDNY reported that the fire was brought under control within an hour, with flames extinguished by approximately 8 a.m. Saturday.
Other residents in the building have since been allowed to return home.
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This latest incident marks the second fire at the same address since November, when a separate blaze broke out in a fifth-floor apartment.
A partial vacate order from that earlier fire remains posted. According to a permit filed with the Department of Buildings, electrical work was required following the November incident.
Residents say the repeated fires have raised concerns in the neighborhood.
“I heard the fire department. I thought they were going somewhere else again,” said Debbie, who lives on the block.
City records also show outstanding violations at the property related to the elevator and boiler systems.
The fire is one of three reported in the immediate area since November. A nearby building at 654 East 233rd Street, just a few doors down, also has a partial vacate order in place following a separate incident
The causes of all three fires remain under investigation.
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