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<\/a>BLACK SMOKE IS seen billowing out of 374 East 209th Street in the Norwood section of The Bronx after a reported explosion in the building on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.\u00a0Photo by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n
A major, multi-departmental response to a 5-alarm, residential fire with injuries is underway in Norwood after a reported explosion at 374 East 209th Street between Decatur Avenue and Parkside Place on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 5.<\/p>\n
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A fire department spokesperson said they received a call for a reported explosion on the third floor of 374 East 209th Street between Decatur Ave and Parkside Place at 12.26 p.m. on Wednesday. They said fire was confirmed on the second and third floors of the 5-story, multiple dwelling.<\/p>\n
Fire response on E Gun Hill near the fire at 374 East 209th Street, Norwood, Aug. 5, 2026 V2<\/p>\n
The spokesperson said a second alarm was transmitted at 12.37 p.m., a third at 12.47 p.m. a fourth at 1.09 p.m. and a fifth alarm was transmitted at 1.45 p.m. An FDNY spokesperson said that 84 units, comprising\u00a0 270 Fire\/EMS personnel have responded to the scene.<\/p>\n
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According to EMS, two adult civilians had life-threatening injuries, and one civilian had serious injuries. The latter was a child according to the FDNY. EMS said five civilians had minor injuries and four firefighters had serious injuries.<\/p>\n
Operations are ongoing. Many streets around the area including a section of Webster Avenue are occupied by emergency vehicles. It is recommended that traffic avoid the area.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n One woman said several pets were trapped inside Apartment BB on the ground floor level. A police officer at the scene said the fire department had already completed a check of all floors.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Fire response on E Gun Hill near the fire at 374 East 209th Street, Norwood, Aug. 5, 2026 V3<\/p>\n Norwood News has followed up with animal welfare groups to see if anything further can be done.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n One young man called Hakiem who lives in the affected building who was seen in shock and crying on the phone nearby at the scene told Norwood News, \u201cSo, the explosion happened. I was going to the store originally so I was in the house. I live right across (the corridor) from the explosion. Iive on the second floor.\u201d Hakiem proceeded to break down as he recounted what happened.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cLuckily, I have a higher power and I believe in God \u2019cause he told me not to forget my key and as I turned around, and I guess her door flew into my door, and my door literally flies past my face,\u201d he said, breaking down again as he started to answer calls from friends asking if he was ok.<\/p>\n Butta, a witness to the fire at 374 E 209th Street in Norwood, The Bronx following an explosion Aug. 5, 2026, describes what she saw. V4<\/p>\n We asked Hakiem if he should maybe get checked out by a health professional. \u201cNothing hit me. That has to be God, like I said,\u201d he said, his voice shaking. \u201cI just want my stuff because I work so hard for everything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Hakiem continued, \u201cI just don\u2019t know where I\u2019m going to live\u2026\u201d We mentioned that the Red Cross was onsite to help with emergency accommodation. \u201cThey\u2019re busy,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re still trying to figure out [inaudible] the fire.. I don\u2019t see them talking to people.. \u201d Hakiem continued to weep, clearly very distraught.<\/p>\n The Red Cross later provided Norwood News with several updates, saying, \u201cAfter the fire on East 209th Street in The Bronx, the American Red Cross is on scene to register residents for emergency assistance.\u201d As of 6.50 p.m., the Red Cross has registered 13 households (29 people including three children and 26 adults) for emergency assistance, including temporary lodging and other services. Together with NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) a Reception Center is open at: P.S. 56, 341 E 207th St., Bronx, NY. Here residents can meet and register with the Red Cross. Registration continues.\u201d<\/p>\n The rep said she would provide another update at 9 p.m. when the reception center will close.<\/p>\n Any residents impacted by this fire who need help with their recovery and have not yet connected with the Red Cross should contact 877-RED CROSS (877-733-2767), according to the Red Cross.<\/p>\n Later, the FDNY held a press conference at the scene of the fire and Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore gave an overview on ongoing operations, confirming that the department responded to a report of an explosion but they do not know yet what the origin of the explosion was. She said the first fire units arrived on scene within three minutes and they found heavy smoke at the scene.<\/p>\n Bonsignore said as further alarms were raised, over 300 EMS and FDNY members responded to the blaze in the end. She said multiple people had to be rescued out of the building, saying the firefighters and EMS personnel did an \u201cextraordinary job.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis was a very difficult fire on a very hot and humid day,\u201d she said. \u201cThere were multiple examples of heroism where the firefighters were rescuing people from the building and EMS was providing lifesaving drugs and treatment right on the scene, saving multiple lives.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO a 5-alarm fire at 374 E 209th Street in Norwood, The Bronx after an explosion Aug. 5, 2026. V4
Photo by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n<\/a>A PRESS CONFERENCE is held at 374 East 209th Street in the Norwood section of The Bronx on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Screenshot courtesy of the FDNY<\/p>\n<\/a>FIREFIGHTERS ARE SEEN responding to the fire at 374 East 209th Street in the Norwood section of The Bronx on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.
Photo courtesy of Mark Laoisa<\/p>\n