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UPDATE Fordham Heights: One Dead, 8 Injured including 2 FFs following Morning Fire

Archive, Blog, FIres & Accidents, Latest, News, Safety
By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE
FIRE UNITS RESPOND to a 4-alarm fire in Fordham Heights on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at Valentine Avenue and East 181st street, not far from the site of the fateful Twin Parks tragedy in early January 2022.
Still image courtesy of the Citizen’s App

One person has died following a morning fire in Fordham Heights and 8 more have been injured in a residential fire which broke out not far from the Twin Parks residence in which 17 people, including 8 children, died in a fateful fire in January.

 

FIRE UNITS RESPOND to a 4-alarm fire in Fordham Heights on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at Valentine Avenue and East 181st street, not far from the site of the fateful Twin Parks tragedy in early January 2022.
Still image courtesy of the Citizen’s App

The FDNY reported that they received a call at 9.05 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10, for reports of a 4-alarm fire and responded with 39 fire units comprising 168 fire and EMS personnel at 2194 Valentine Avenue at East 181st Street.

 

FIRE UNITS RESPOND to a 4-alarm fire in Fordham Heights on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at Valentine Avenue and East 181st street, not far from the site of the fateful Twin Parks tragedy in early January 2022.
Photo by David Greene

Officials said the fire broke out in a 2-story building (100×50 square feet) reportedly filled with intense smoke. The fire was reported throughout with building, and also spread to neighboring buildings.

 

 

FDNY officials said one person has died and 8 are reported injured, including two firefighters who incurred minor injuries and six civilians who also incurred minor injuries. The scene is still active.

 

FIRE UNITS RESPOND to a 4-alarm fire in Fordham Heights on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at Valentine Avenue and East 181st street, not far from the site of the fateful Twin Parks tragedy in early January 2022.
Image courtesy of the FDNY

FDNY Acting Chief of Operations Richard Blatus later provided an update on the 4-alarm fire, saying, “This morning, at approximately 9:05, FDNY Bronx Fire Dispatchers received a call for a fire at 2194 Valentine Avenue. Units arrived within four minutes and found a heavy volume of fire in the rear of the occupancy.”

 

 

Blatus continued, “A wind condition contributed to the spread of fire to adjoining structures. The fire quickly escalated to a fourth alarm bringing approximately 75 FDNY units to the scene. The fire is now under control.”

 

A memorial site ma-up of photos, hand-written message, the American, Gambian and other flags, balloons and flowers, dedicated to the 17 victims of the Twin Parks North West fire tragedy is seen in an area located near the building, located at 333, East 181st Street in Fordham Heights, on Friday, January 14, 2022, as the tower looms overhead. 
Photo by David Greene

 

The fire chief concluded, “We have six civilian injuries which includes one person who was found deceased, and three minor injuries to Firefighters. The fire is currently under investigation by our FDNY Fire Marshals.” 

 

The map shows the location of the site of the Twin Parks North West fire dated Jan. 9, 2022 which broke out in the Fordham Heights section of The Bronx.
Image courtesy of Google Maps

We will provide further updates as we receive them.

The map shows the location of the site of the Valentine Avenue fire dated May 10, 2022 which broke out in the Fordham Heights section of The Bronx, not far from the site of the Twin Parks fire dated Jan. 9, 2022.
Image courtesy of Google Maps

As reported, the Twin Parks North West fire broke out at 333 East 181st Street in Fordham Heights on Jan. 9.

 

FIRE UNITS RESPOND to a 4-alarm fire in Fordham Heights on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at Valentine Avenue and East 181st street, not far from the site of the fateful Twin Parks tragedy in early January 2022.
Photo by David Greene

 

As recently reported, obtaining the causes of certain historical fires from the FDNY has proven difficult.

 

FIRE UNITS RESPOND to a 4-alarm fire in Fordham Heights on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at Valentine Avenue and East 181st street, not far from the site of the fateful Twin Parks tragedy in early January 2022.
Photo by David Greene

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and District 15 City Councilman Oswald Feliz, in whose district the fire occurred, issued the following joint statement, following the Fordham Heights fire, saying, “Less than six months since the horrific fire at Twin Parks North West, and we are once again mourning the loss of one of our residents in Fordham Heights to another tragic fire.”

 

DISTRICT 15 CITY Councilman Oswald Feliz visits the burned out remains of the home at 2194 Valentine Avenue on May 11, 2022. 
Photo courtesy of the Office of Councilman Oswald Feliz

“Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the resident we lost today and we offer prayers of comfort and healing to the ten individuals, including four firefighters, that were injured,” she said. “These fires happen too often in our communities and we owe a debt of gratitude to the FDNY, NYPD, OEM, American Red Cross and other first-responders that responded swiftly and immediately. We will continue to monitor this situation and work to secure housing accommodations and other resources for the impacted families. Additionally, we will be taking all steps necessary to ensure fire safety challenges do not continue to plague our borough.”

 

DISTRICT 15 CITY Councilman Oswald Feliz visits the residents of the now burned building at 2194 Valentine Avenue on May 11, 2022. 
Photo courtesy of the Office of Councilman Oswald Feliz

City Comptroller Brad Lander also issued the following statement in relation to the fire, ““Our hearts are with the Bronx and families impacted by the devastating fire this morning on Valentine Ave.  Grateful for the brave FDNY firefighters extinguishing the blaze as investigations continue.  https://t.co/MjX9rK3fE1”

 

Feliz later visited the burned out remains of the home on May 11, saying, “Spoke with families affected by yesterday’s tragic fire on Valentine Ave. Losing your home and loved ones can cause life-lasting trauma. We must do everything possible to prevent these horrific tragedies.”

 

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story referred to a fatal fire in Bedford Park. This has since been corrected. We apologize for this error. 

 

 

 

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