A male driver is safe after his car ignited when he turned the key in the engine as it was parked inside an elevated parking lot in the Norwood section of the Bronx on Saturday morning, March 28.

 

An FDNY spokesperson said the department received a 911 call on Saturday, March 28, at 11.47 a.m. for a report of a car fire at 3510 Jerome Avenue, a parking lot located between East 212th Street and East Gun Hill Road and responded to the scene.  The car was seen with severe damage to the engine and inside dashboard.

CA BURNED OUT car is seen at 3510 Jerome Avenue parking lot on Saturday, March 28, 2026. V1 Video by Síle Moloney

The fire was on the top floor of the parking garage. The FDNY said no injuries were reported and the incident was closed at 12.45 p.m.

 

Speaking to Norwood News, the male driver of the car, Marttise H, said, “My car is a total loss. I was on my way to church, started the engine, heard a pop and got out, checked under the hood, and saw the flames, closed the hood, and called the fire department.”

Marttis continued, “The engine and transmission are total losses.” Asked if he was with anyone else at the time, he said, “No, I was by myself.” Asked if his belongings had been damaged, he said, “The stuff in the trunk is fine.”

 

We asked when was the last time he had it serviced, he said a few weeks ago. We asked if he’d been given a sign off that everyone was good, and he said, “Mmhmm.”

Thank you to the FDNY for coming here in a timely manner and doing what they do best and keeping us safe and doing their best for the property. Those guys are real heroes.”

 

We mentioned that Norwood News had asked the responding firefighters on scene if they were from the unit that had been involved in the fire that broke out at the firehouse for Engine 79/Ladder 37 on 2928 Briggs Avenue in Bedford Park the previous day, Friday, March 27 and that they had said they were not.

During a press conference on Friday, it was confirmed that the Bedford Park firehouse was expected to be out of service for at least the remainder of Friday, officials said. Fourteen firefighters were injured following the early morning fire that day. Read more here. here.

 

In light of the news, Marttise said, “Yeah, they were true professionals, polite, courteous and I’m just grateful that they kept me safe and that everybody else’s car is safe. You know cars can be replaced, lives cannot and I’m grateful to still be able to be here and talk to you.”

Norwood News has followed up with the FDNY press office to ask if ordinarily Engine 79 would have responded to the car fire in Norwood and a spokesperson said, “Engine 79 would not have been first due to this location and that one engine and ladder from the first due assignment responded to put out the car fire. No other companies were needed.”

 

The latest fire was not the first such fire in a parking lot, as reported. Meanwhile, in June 2024, a car seemingly rolled off a rooftop parking lot in Marble Hill, as reported.

 

As reported, several small businesses were damaged on East Gun Hill Road in the Laconia section of the East Bronx on March 6. The latest fires have prompted Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and the FDNY to launch a further series of fire education and safety workshops across the borough.

FDNY responds to a car fire at 3510 Jerome Ave Parking Lot March 28, 2026 V2 Video by Síle Moloney

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.”

 

FIRE SAFETY WORKSHOP dates Part I
Source: 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.”