A five-alarm fire erupted in a Bronx apartment building Wednesday afternoon following a significant explosion that injured at least five people, two of whom sustained critical injuries. The blast occurred around 12:30 p.m. on the third floor of the five-story building located at 374 East 209th Street.
The fire quickly spread across the second and third floors, escalating the situation over the course of an hour. The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) responded with approximately 270 firefighters to combat the blaze. Three other individuals were reported to be in stable condition.
Initial reports from the scene suggested that the fire may have involved lithium-ion batteries. Witnesses described hearing a powerful explosion, with one resident comparing the sound to a bomb. "We just heard the explosion," said Lisa Landin, who was commuting home. "It sounded like a bomb went off."
Another tenant, who was near the building when the explosion occurred, saw the structure engulfed in flames. "I was right around the corner. I saw the whole thing blow up in flames," she recounted, distressed about her pets potentially trapped inside. By the time she arrived at the scene, authorities were preventing people from entering the building.
Fire officials confirmed the five-alarm status of the blaze, indicating the significant resources deployed to control the incident. The extent of the damage to the building and the cause of the explosion remain under investigation.