{"id":208804,"date":"2026-04-24T21:14:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T21:14:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/208804\/"},"modified":"2026-04-24T21:14:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T21:14:10","slug":"bronx-little-italy-fire-fueled-by-open-doors-leaving-2-dead-and-11-injured-bronx-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/208804\/","title":{"rendered":"Bronx Little Italy fire fueled by open doors, leaving 2 dead and 11 injured \u2013 Bronx Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

FDNY officials say a series of open doors accelerated the spread of a five-alarm fire<\/a> in Bronx\u2019s Little Italy that killed two people, injured eleven others, and left dozens displaced.<\/p>\n

Firefighters responded to a call at 1:32 p.m. at 660 E. 187th St., between Belmont Avenue and Cambreleng Avenue, arriving in under four minutes. By then, flames had already spread throughout the five-story, non-fireproof building, which was built in 1906.<\/p>\n

Fire marshals said the apartment door where the fire originated had been left open, allowing flames and smoke to rapidly travel through the stairwells and compromise rescue efforts.<\/p>\n

Two women were found dead in a stairwell above the apartment where the fire began by the time first responders arrived. With the stairwell no longer safe, firefighters carried out rescues using fire escapes and windows.<\/p>\n

Two others suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Five firefighters with minor injuries were transported to Jacobi Hospital, while four additional civilians sustained minor injuries but declined medical attention.<\/p>\n

In total, two civilians were pronounced dead at the scene. Two others suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Five firefighters with minor injuries were transported to Jacobi Hospital, while four additional civilians sustained minor injuries but declined medical attention.<\/p>\n

\"Candles,Candles, flowers, and BuzzBallz are left to commemorate the lives of one of the victims who lived a block away from the fire. Photo by Marina Samuel<\/p>\n

FDNY Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods emphasized the critical role closed doors play in slowing a fire\u2019s spread by limiting the \u201cflow path\u201d that feeds flames with oxygen.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want you to do three things: we want you to\u00a0 leave immediately, close the door behind you, and once you\u2019re safe, call 911,\u201d Woods stressed.\n<\/p>\n

He added that smoke and heat trapped families inside their apartments. Officials also noted that the building\u2019s front entrance door had been propped open, further intensifying the fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomebody thought it was a good idea to prop open the front entrance door,\u201d Wood said. \u201cThey thought they were doing the right thing.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the victims\u2019 identities have not yet been released.\n<\/p>\n

Families and friends of those affected are collecting donations. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, at 627 E. 187th St., is accepting nonperishable food, clothing, and toiletries.<\/p>\n

Multiple verified GoFundMe campaigns have been created to support families impacted by the fire, including:\n<\/p>\n

Reach Marina Samuel at\u00a0msamuel@schnepsmedia.com<\/a>. For more coverage, subscribe to our\u00a0newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and Instagram!<\/a><\/p>\n