THE SCENE AT 2264 Grand Ave in University Heights, Bronx, the day after a residential fire 1/25/26. Video by Norwood News

One person has died and another has been hospitalized following a residential fire in the University Heights section of The Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 25, FDNY officials said. FDNY fire marshals have since confirmed the fire was caused by “electrical wiring.”

 

According to an FDNY spokesperson, the department received a call at 7.44 a.m. on Sunday morning for a report of a fire on the first floor of a 6-story multiple dwelling at 2264 Grand Avenue, located between Buchanan Place and West 183rd Street in The Bronx.

The spokesperson said that 21 emergency units comprising 79 fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene and there were three civilians counted among the patients.

 

As above, one patient was transported to Jacobi Hospital in Morris Park with burns, one patient was pronounced deceased at the scene. They FDNY said one patient with a minor injury refused transportation to a hospital. The spokesperson said the blaze was brought under control at 9:09 a.m.

The building appeared to be pretty damaged throughout and furniture and other items were seen dumped on the snow-covered sidewalk outside the building below. A partial vacate order is in place at the building.

 

We spoke by phone to one female resident, Carmen Reynoso, who said she lives on the third floor. Speaking in Spanish, her voice slightly trembling, she said, “How it happened… well, there was no time for nothing. We were sleeping and suddenly I was woken up and we had to go at around 7.30 / 7.40 in the morning.” Asked if an alarm sounded, the resident said, “There was no alarm in the whole building. No alarm went off.”

 

Norwood News is attempting to follow up with the building owner for comment. We were informed that the super was based across the street but we were unable to reach him by phone or in person. A notice for a gas inspection was seen affixed to the door on the opposite side of the street to where the fire broke out.

Asked if she, herself, had seen the flames of the fire as she exited, she said, “No, I didn’t see because I went out the fire escape and they gave me permission to go through a window in the kitchen on the first floor because they covered the doorway with towels so smoke didn’t go in. It was dark and there was a lot of smoke.”

 

Asked if there was a lot of smoke, she said there was in the corridor. She said she was with her son, an adult nephew, 20, and her niece, 16. Asked if they had been scared, she said her son had gotten a terrible fright. She added that the firefighters arrived quickly.

Norwood News asked if the Red Cross had been assisting her, mentioning that their number was on a flier affixed to the front door of the affected building at the street level and that they usually helped rehousing residents after a fire. She said, “Nobody from the Red Cross came.” We shared the contact number with the resident and she said she would follow up and call.

 

She said she was staying in another apartment [of a friend, we understood].

Later, we followed up with the Red Cross and asked if they had details of how many residents were being rehoused. Ned Klein of the Red Cross responded, saying, “Our hearts go out to the friends, family and neighbors of those impacted by the fire on Grand Avenue in the Bronx. After the fire, the American Red Cross has registered eight households, including 22 individuals, for emergency assistance such as temporary lodging.”

 

He added, “Any residents displaced by this fire who need help with their recovery and have not already connected with the Red Cross should call 1-877-RED CROSS (877-733-2767) and select Option 1.”

 

We spoke to another resident in a nearby laundromat who was waiting on an Uber to transport her to temporary accommodation. She appeared remarkably calm despite having had to evacuate the building, and was seen with a suitcase, some other belongings and her pet cat in a carrier as she got into an Uber. She said she just to accept what had happened and get on with it. More to follow.

NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin and local City Council Member Pierina Sanchez (C.D. 14) released a statement later on Sunday in relation to the blaze, saying, “This morning, a tragic fire at 2264 Grand Avenue in the Bronx claimed the life of a New Yorker and injured several others. Our hearts are with the victim’s loved ones and all impacted residents.”

 

They added, “This afternoon, we were on the ground speaking directly with residents. While we recognize that the severe winter storm strained emergency response efforts citywide, we were concerned by the lack of clarity and coordination we observed upon arrival — particularly around how information was communicated to us and to residents, many of whom were unsure whether their apartments were safe to occupy.”

They added, “Attention to improving the city’s fire response is particularly crucial in District 14, where a disproportionate number of fires occur, including 6 in just this section since the middle of December. We are working closely with City Hall and relevant agencies to ensure affected units are fully inspected, displaced residents are supported, and families are not asked to remain in unsafe conditions.”

 

The statement concluded, “We have requested DOB [NYC Department of Buildings], HPD [NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development], and the American Red Cross to provide additional on-site assistance and prioritize resident safety and care during this difficult moment. We are grateful to first responders for their work under challenging conditions and will remain closely engaged to ensure residents are safe and supported.”

 

Click here to read FDNY’s fire safety tips. “During a fire, always close the door behind you!” fire officials say. “It helps contain smoke and flames, giving you precious time to escape.”

Click here to read our recent story regarding another fatal residential fire at Boston Secor Houses NYCHA complex on Saturday, Jan. 24.

 

The FDNY urges residents to clear ice and snow from nearby hydrants. “Buried hydrants cause significant delays, increasing the danger and difficulty of fighting a fire,” they said. “So please, keep yourself and your neighbors safe by clearing hydrants!”

 

*Miriam Quiñones contributed to this story.