Photo courtesy of the FDNY
One person has died and nine other people were injured after a residential fire broke out in the Belmont section of The Bronx in the early hours of Thursday, March 26, FDNY officials said.
A department spokesperson said the FDNY received a 911 call at 5.30 a.m. for a report of a fire on the top floor, in the cockloft, and in the roof of a 5-story, non fireproof, multiple dwelling located at 505 East 184th Street, located between Bassford Avenue and Bathgath Avenue.
Photo by Síle Moloney
“The cockloft is a space above the top floor ceiling and below the roof line so it’s very difficult to access that fire,” FDNY Chief Kevin Woods later said.
FDNY officials said a second alarm was raised at 5.37 a.m., and units arrived in around 4 minutes. They said a third alarm was raised at 5.46 a.m., a fourth alarm at 6.17 a.m. a fifth alarm at 7.24 a.m. and that 84 fire and EMS units, comprising 270 fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene.
Photo by Síle Moloney
Fire officials said the final update of death and injuries following the blaze was that one person had died, and nine people were aided, including 6 firefighters who they said incurred minor injuries and two civilians, who they said also incurred minor injuries.
They said all were transported to area hospitals, and the fire was brought under control at 8.12 a.m.
Photo courtesy of the FDNY
FDNY Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods later said during a press conference held later on Thursday morning, “Upon arrival, units encountered heavy fire on the top floor extending into the cockloft and through the roof. Members stretched multiple handlines to the top floor and into the cockloft space, opening up to reach fire in an area that is inherently difficult to access.”
He added, “We moved in with multiple hand lines, five hand lines to the top floor, into the roof area, also used exterior streams from our tower ladders. You see them operating right now.”
Photo by Síle Moloney
The chief said the deceased person was found dead in the apartment where the fire broke out, and that the impacted firefighters had incurred minor, non life-threatening injuries i.e. heat exhaustion, minor sprains. He said there was heavy damage to the building and the roof had collapsed into the top floor.
Woods continued, “There was also extensive collapse of the cornice. The cornice is a decorative portion of the exterior wall. It is non-structural in nature but we can only access it from the exterior. We had heavy fire in the cornice; that cornice did collapse.”
The scene at 505 E 184th Street, Belmont, The Bronx on the evening of Thursday, March 26, 2026, after an early morning residential fire broke out resulting in one death and nine injuries. Video by Síle Moloney
The fire chief said fire operations continued throughout Thursday morning, and the FDNY used drone technology to aid the operations from the air, adding that leveraging the drone technology enhanced safety during fire operation responses as they include thermal imaging cameras which are used to identify all the hot spots.
Image courtesy of the Office of State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33)
He said the 5-alarm fire was brought under control as above at 8.12 a.m. and over 280 firefighters and EMS personnel were deployed in the end in response to the blaze. Woods said the cause is under investigation by fire marshals.
Screenshot courtesy of the FDNY
The statement continued, “At this time, the reception center located at PS159 has now closed. Any residents impacted 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.”
Photo by Síle Moloney
It concluded, “In coming days, Red Cross caseworkers will meet with each household to discuss remaining recovery obstacles and to connect them with nonprofit and/or government partners who can help with longer-term recovery needs.”
Local Councilman Oswald Feliz said of the fire, “Deeply saddened to learn of this fire, which claimed the life of a member of our community. I’ve been in close contact with the @FDNY and @nycemergencymgt, and I am praying for the victims. This is horrible.”
Workers clear rubble from in front of 505 East 184th Street, Belmont, The Bronx on the evening of Thursday, March 26, 2026, after an early morning residential fire broke out resulting in one death and nine injuries. Video by Síle Moloney
As reported, there were no injuries reported following a separate residential fire in the Kingsbridge Heights section of The Bronx that also broke out in the early hours of Thursday, March 26, FDNY officials said.
Photo by Síle Moloney
The FDNY also responded to a less serious fire in the Kingsbridge Heights section of The Bronx the same night, as reported.
Image courtesy of the Office of Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson
On March 18, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson announced that, in conjunction with the FDNY, in response to the high number of fires experienced across the borough in recent times, fire education and safety workshops would be rolled out across the borough in the weeks ahead. “We hope that you will find the time to attend one of these important workshops for you and your family,” she said.
“From smoke alarm demonstrations, to common causes of fires, our community is learning emergency preparedness tips on how to stay safe and ready in any situation,” she added, “Find a workshop that works best for you and your family. Locations are listed on our website.”
Flier courtesy of the Office of the Bronx Borough President
As reported, two injuries were reported following a recent residential fire in the Norwood section of the Bronx on Decatur Avenue on March 13.
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.”
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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.