By SÍLE MOLONEY

THE SCENE AT 2264 Grand Ave in University Heights, Bronx, the day after a residential fire 1/25/26. Video by Norwood News

One person has died and another has been hospitalized following a residential fire in the University Heights section of The Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 25, FDNY officials said.

 

According to an FDNY spokesperson, the department received a call at 7.44 a.m. on Sunday morning for a report of a fire on the first floor of a 6-story multiple dwelling at 2264 Grand Avenue, located between Buchanan Place and West 183rd Street in The Bronx.

DAMAGE TO THE facade of 2262 Grand Avenue in the University Heights section of The Bronx is seen on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, after an early morning fire broke out in the building. 
Photo by Síle Moloney

The spokesperson said that 21 emergency units comprising 79 fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene and there were three civilians counted among the patients.

 

As above, one patient was transported to Jacobi Hospital in Morris Park with burns, one patient was pronounced deceased at the scene. They FDNY said one patient with a minor injury refused transportation to a hospital. The spokesperson said the blaze was brought under control at 9:09 a.m.

FURNITURE AND OTHER items are seen dumped on the sidewalk on the snow outside 2262 Grand Avenue in the University Heights section of The Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, after an early morning fire broke out in the building. 
Photo by Síle Moloney

The building appeared to be pretty damaged throughout and furniture and other items were seen dumped on the snow-covered sidewalk outside the building below.

 

We spoke by phone to one female resident, Carmen Reynoso, who said she lives on the third floor. Speaking in Spanish, her voice slightly trembling, she said, “How it happened… well, there was no time for nothing. We were sleeping and suddenly I was woken up and we had to go.” Asked if an alarm sounded, the resident said, “There was no alarm in the whole building.”

DAMAGE TO THE front door of 2262 Grand Avenue in the University Heights section of The Bronx is seen on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, after an early morning fire broke out in the building. It’s unknown if the door was broken during the fire or if it had been broken previously. 
Photo by Síle Moloney

Asked if she, herself, had seen the flames of the fire as she exited, she said, “No, I didn’t see because I went out the fire escape and in the first floor is where the fire was.”

 

She mentioned something about a door not being closed and towels being placed somewhere to prevent smoke from spreading and I didn’t see until I got down onto the street.

 

Asked if there was a lot of smoke, she said there was in the corridor. She said she was with her son, an adult nephew, 20, and her niece, 16. Asked if they had been scared, she said her son had gotten a terrible fright. She added that the firefighters arrived quickly.

THE DAMAGE TO a hallway inside 2262 Grand Avenue in the University Heights section of The Bronx is seen on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, after an early morning fire broke out in the building. 
Photo by Síle Moloney

Norwood News asked if the Red Cross had been assisting her, mentioning that their number was on a flier affixed to the front door of the affected building at the street level and that they usually helped rehousing residents after a fire. She said, “Nobody from the Red Cross came.” We shared the contact number with the resident and she said she would follow up and call.

 

She said she was staying in an apartment [of a friend, we understood].

THE DAMAGE TO an apartment inside 2262 Grand Avenue in the University Heights section of The Bronx is seen on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, after an early morning fire broke out in the building. 
Photo by Síle Moloney

Later, we followed up with the Red Cross and asked if they had details of how many residents were being rehoused. Ned Klein of the Red Cross responded, saying, “Our hearts go out to the friends, family and neighbors of those impacted by the fire on Grand Avenue in the Bronx. After the fire, the American Red Cross has registered eight households, including 22 individuals, for emergency assistance such as temporary lodging.”

 

He added, “Any residents displaced by this fire who need help with their recovery and have not already connected with the Red Cross should call 1-877-RED CROSS (877-733-2767) and select Option 1.”

 

We spoke to another resident in a nearby laundromat who was waiting on an Uber to transport her to temporary accommodation. She appeared remarkably calm despite having had to evacuate the building, and was seen with a suitcase, some other belongings and her pet cat in a carrier as she got into an Uber. She said she just to accept what had happened and get on with it. More to follow.

A YOUNG FEMALE resident of 2262 Grand Avenue in the University Heights section of The Bronx is seen packing her belongings and a cat into an Uber on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, after an early morning fire broke out in the building. 
Photo by Síle Moloney

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.”