1 person dies in Morris Heights apartment fire; 67 people assisted by the Red Cross
On Thursday, charred debris and broken glass lay at the doorsteps of 1484 Montgomery Ave.
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The FDNY says one person was killed and 10 others were hurt as a result of a fire that ripped through a Morris Heights building Wednesday morning.
On Thursday, charred debris and broken glass lay at the doorsteps of 1484 Montgomery Ave.
In a post on “X”, FDNY shared, "During the course of the fire, it spread to an adjoining apartment, two apartments above, and up into the cockloft space, which is the area between the top floor's ceiling and the roof," Deputy Chief Andrew Holzmaier said. One person was pronounced dead at the scene and there were 10 other injuries. Six civilians were hurt, including one critically. Four firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries. About 46 fire and EMS units totaling 140 members responded to the 2-alarm fire. It was placed under control just before 10 a.m. The cause remains under investigation by FDNY Fire Marshals.
In the same tweet, FDNY says they were met with delays battling the blaze after a car was blocking the fire hydrant in front of the building. “The FDNY's Bureau of Fire Prevention issued several summonses totaling $4,000 and towed a vehicle that was blocking a fire hydrant in front of the fire building. Blocking fire hydrants delays firefighters from getting water on a fire. It is dangerous and ILLEGAL. NEVER block fire hydrants.”
Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire, but neighbors have their own suspicions. Many residents expressed concern with News 12 about a man playing with fire in the buildings halls, steps from neighbors' doors.
Ring camera showed the man lighting an object and moving it around his hand on Wednesday after 2 a.m., just five hours before firefighters were alerted of the building fire.
Police have not confirmed if the fire was an act of arson.
