A massive inferno ripped through a Bronx apartment building early Monday \u2014 injuring three people, including two firefighters \u2014 as the FDNY\u2019s response was hampered by illegally parked cars too close to hydrants, according to officials.<\/p>\n
The blaze started in a deli on Findlay Avenue around 3:15 a.m. and the flames spread to the apartment units on the several floors above it and slightly to the wing of the next building, fire department officials said.<\/p>\n
One civilian and two firefighters suffered minor injuries, the department said.<\/p>\n
The FDNY\u2019s response was slowed by illegally parked cars. FDNY<\/p>\n
Fire trucks reached the scene in less than four minutes \u2014 but the response was slowed by \u201cthree cars parked on three different hydrants,\u201d said FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito in a statement.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe had a little bit of an ice condition but the biggest issue was those blocked fire hydrants,\u201d he said. \u201cOur firefighters are very good but it does delay us.\u201d<\/p>\n The cars were ticketed and towed, according to the FDNY.<\/p>\n It took about four hours to get the fire under control. Robert Mecea<\/p>\n The fire was ultimately under control in about four hours. <\/p>\n Mayor Zohran Mamdani thanked first responders for their actions that \u201csaved lives.\u201d<\/p>\n