NEW YORK – Two people were killed in a devastating fire in the Bronx on Wednesday morning, as firefighters faced delays due to a parked car blocking a fire hydrant. The fire broke out around 6 a.m. at East 180th Street and Anthony Avenue in the Tremont section, engulfing two buildings, including a Buddhist temple.
Fire Details and Response
- About 150 FDNY firefighters were dispatched to control the flames.
- The fire spread through two connected buildings, one of which was a Buddhist temple.
- Investigators confirmed two fatalities:
- A monk residing in the building.
- A visitor who was staying on the second floor.
- One victim died at the scene, while the other was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital but later succumbed to injuries.
Blocked Fire Hydrant Delays Firefighters
FDNY officials confirmed that a parked car blocking a hydrant slowed down their response, making it harder to fight the fire.
“We all know that we should not be parking on fire hydrants. When you do, it slows us down—and in fires, seconds count,” said FDNY Chief John Esposito.
This comes just days after the FDNY issued a similar warning following a fatal fire in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
NYC Fire Hydrant Parking Rules:
- It is illegal to park within 15 feet of a hydrant.
- Fines start at $115 for violations.
- Residents are urged to call 311 to report blocked hydrants.
Cause of the Fire and Safety Violations
Investigators determined that the fire started due to a space heater coming in contact with flammable materials.
FDNY Safety Reminder: “Space heaters need space.” Keep them away from curtains, furniture, and other combustible materials.
Additionally, the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) found:
- An illegal passageway connected the two buildings.
- Unapproved rooms were built in the temple’s cellar, leading to a partial vacate order in December 2023.
Parking Struggles & Enforcement
A woman who admitted to parking by the hydrant explained:
“It’s not my fault, but I take responsibility. Parking here is impossible. I circle the block for three, four hours.”
The NYPD responded, stating:
“The NYPD takes hazardous parking violations seriously. In 2023, we issued over 638,000 summonses for blocked fire hydrants.”
Fire Hydrant Violation Trends in NYC:
- 2022: 824,858 tickets issued
- 2023: 689,000 tickets
- 2024: 652,000 tickets
