By the time he, his wife, and their son reached their home on East 209th Street in Norwood, they saw flames shooting from the windows and smoke billowing into the air. Living on the bottom floor of the building now engulfed by the inferno, the Falcon family became overwhelmed with emotion, fearing the worst.
According to Falcon, he has rescued about 12 canines to prevent them from being left in a kill shelter — and as firefighters battled the blaze for several hours Wednesday afternoon, he believed that they may not have survived.
“Most of my dogs that are in there are service animals. I rescue dogs because I don’t want them to die in a f**king shelter. I’m gonna let them live their last life with me,” Falcon said with tears welling in his eyes.
At least 14 people were hurt, including one dead, in an explosion and fire at a Bronx apartment building on Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Dean Moses 
Falcon’s wife, Ellesse, attempted to storm the police line, where she was stopped by cops and let out a bloodcurdling cry.Photo by Dean Moses 
She then got into a shoving match with officers and was taken into custody.Photo by Dean Moses
As the blaze continued to rage, the prospect of losing their pets became too much, and Falcon’s wife, Ellesse, attempted to storm the police line, where she was stopped by cops and let out a bloodcurdling cry. According to police sources, cops prevented her from accessing the building out of fear that it might collapse.
She then got into a shoving match with officers and was taken into custody. She was charged with obstructing governmental administration, disorderly conduct, and harassment.
Falcon himself spent the next several hours pleading for first responders to find the family dogs and rescue them.
“For the past two hours I have been trying to get my dogs out. It’s wrong that they don’t have a procedure to rescue animals. Why do animals get left for last? That’s not fair. They have the same rights as we do, just because they can’t speak doesn’t mean that they don’t have any rights either,” Falcon said Wednesday afternoon.
An FDNY source told amNewYork that firefighters look for any signs of life, including pets, and rescue any they can find.
Once the worst of the inferno had been quelled, firefighters discovered Falcon’s animals inside his apartment. A member of the Red Cross escorted him to the charred home where he could be seen joyfully holding one of his pooches and laying kisses on its head.
With the aid of firefighters and family friends, all 12 dogs were rescued, prompting Falcon to break down in tears.
“Thank you,” he said to first responders.
With the aid of firefighters and family friends, all 12 dogs were rescuedPhoto by Dean Moses 
With the aid of firefighters and family friends, all 12 dogs were rescued. Photo by Dean Moses 
With the aid of firefighters and family friends, all 12 dogs were rescued.Photo by Dean Moses
It was the silver lining in a tragedy that left one person dead and 14 others seriously injured. Those who live in the apartment building have been displaced and are working with the Red Cross to find accommodations.
“The FDNY confirmed that an explosion occurred at the building and the cause remains under investigation. More than a dozen people were injured, and devastatingly, one person succumbed to their injuries. The injured also include a number of firefighters. The building contains 27 units, and residents have been displaced,” according to a joint statement from Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Council Member Eric Dinowitz, and Assembly Member John Zaccaro Jr. “Our hearts go out to everyone affected and displaced by today’s fire on East 209th Street, especially the families who lost a loved one. We are deeply grateful to the FDNY members who responded so quickly, including the firefighters who were injured while working to save others. As the investigation into the cause continues, our offices stand ready to help residents connect with the resources they need to recover.”
An FDNY source told amNewYork that the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Fire marshals were in the scorched building on Thursday, continuing their probe.
Photo by Dean Moses