Two Dead, 11 Injured in Bronx Building Fire

A fast-moving fire ripped through a five-story mixed-use building in the Bronx's Belmont neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon, killing two people and injuring 11 others as flames spread rapidly from the first floor to all levels. The blaze broke out around 1:30 p.m. at 660 E. 187th St., between Belmont and Cambreleng avenues, drawing a massive response from the New York City Fire Department.

Firefighters arrived to heavy flames on the ground floor, where the structure housed commercial businesses including a barbershop and a deli. The fire quickly ascended the stairwell, engulfing the upper residential floors in a building officials described as more than 100 years old and lacking fireproofing. FDNY Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods said crews initially attacked the blaze aggressively from inside on the first four floors but had to withdraw to exterior operations when the roof and portions of the stairwell collapsed, creating hazardous conditions. "This fire rapidly raced up the stairs, involving all floors of this building," Woods stated. Rescuers pulled several residents from windows and fire escapes at the front and rear, including one person trapped without access to an...