One person died and 15 people were hurt in an explosion and fire at a 17-story apartment building in the Bronx, city and FDNY officials said Saturday.

FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said firefighters responded to reports of a gas smell at a building on Bivonia Street between Reeds Mill and Boston Road in Eastchester just after midnight Saturday. According to Bonsignore, within 15 minutes, there was an explosion, which led to multiple fires.

What You Need To Know

One person died and 15 people were hurt in an explosion and fire at a 17-story apartment building in the Bronx, city and FDNY officials said Saturday

FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said firefighters responded to reports of a gas smell at a building on Bivonia Street between Reeds Mill and Boston Road in Eastchester just after midnight Saturday

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city is working with the Red Cross to assist displaced residents

Fire officials said the blaze spread to multiple apartments on the top three floors of the building. More than 230 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the scene, according to the FDNY.

At a news briefing, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said 15 people were hurt in the fire. Officials didn’t immediately release the name or age of the person who died. 

“I mourn their loss and send my deepest condolences to their family,” Mamdani said. 

All 148 apartments in the building have been vacated, he said. The city has opened a reception center for displaced residents at a nearby school and is working closely with the Red Cross to provide assistance, he added. 

“I visited residents there this morning, and as you can imagine, this has been a deeply frightening and devastating morning for them. They are not alone,” he said. “Our city will stand by them and do everything in our power to help them get back on their feet.” 

The fire happened at Boston Secor, a NYCHA property leased to a private management company.

The mayor said New Yorkers should avoid the area and be prepared for traffic delays. 

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.