Bronx Fire Kills at Least 12
PHOTO: Response to a fire that left at least twelve dead in the Bronx of New York.
Police confirmed the fire was sparked accidentally when a child was playing with the stove. According to the mother, she heard screams as she was distracted and in a different room. When she returned, she noticed the accident had begun.
They began to rush out, but many others throughout the building didn't exactly make it. According to paramedics, local hospitals and police; at least twelve people are dead. The family's apartment that caught fire was located on the first floor, rendering it quite difficult for many of the residents to escape without harm.
That's when residents on higher floors began using the fire escape. However, as most know, oxygen helps fires grow. The oxygen let in by the fire escape resulted in the expansion and quick growth of the flames; catching the entire apartment building.
"We didn't really know what to do, you're always confused in situations like this" one of the residents told one of our reporters in a short-lived interview. She was too shaken up to continue talking, fearing if anyone was hurt.
According to police officers, numerous children (at least 4) are among the fatalities in this fire. The rest (at least 8) were adults. They also confirmed a number of residents had been injured and were at hospitals; and medics fear some others may unfortunately pass away as their treatment continues.
One paramedic told our reporter at the scene that the extent of the injuries to most of those hospitalized was 'quite severe' and some even life threatening.
Police confirmed in a press briefing that this fire was the deadliest, most impacting one in the region for the past numerous decades. An investigation into whether the mother was properly observing her child's actions at the time of the fire is expected to open, though this has not been confirmed.