According to reports, the fire broke out in the first floor and made its way up to the fifth. People tried to escape via the fire escapes but they became crowded. Residents left with only the clothes they had on. Many were children who were barefoot wearing pajamas or t-shirts. As you may know, New York and most of the nation is under an artic blast. The temperatures was as low as 11 degrees during the time of the fire. This cold weather gave the fuel necessary for the fire to grow out of control due to the airy conditions.
Fire fighters investigating the fire believe a three year old child was playing with the stove as his mother was showering. She came out to find the kitchen ablaze. As anyone would do in such a scenario, she escaped but did something wrong. The mother left the door open. Fire fighters always remind citizens that they are to close the door during a fire in order to contain it and possibly weaken it as it loses oxygen to feul on. The building built in 1916 during a time where fire concerns were not a priority. Its interior is wooden and it had no elevator. Residents relied on stairs to get to their floors. All of this, the airy weather and the mother of the toddler who started the fire negligence contributed to the fire getting out of hand. Flames escaped the opened door and moved up through the stairs kiling people on each floor. Among the dead is an 8 month old who was playing with gifts from Christmas while being babysat by her grandmother. The grandmother called her daughter to say goodbye and letting her know that she and the 8 month old would not make it. Both were found dead by fire fighters in their tub; grandmother clutching the baby in her arms.
Fire fighters from local 18th Battalion, a firehouse I often visited during my elementary school years for school trips were the first on the scene. They wer emet with cold conditions which made using water nearly impossible. Moreover, the hydrant nearby did not work. They had to use a hydrant on 187st street which was working. Survivors of the fire are upset with the mother of the child who started the fire. They claim that she did not warn them of the fire. She has not been identified. Four others remain hospitalized with one in a coma and not expected to survive. One victim actually went back into the burning building several times to rescue others. U.S. Army mechanic Emmanuel Mensah was home from serving duty. He was found in a fourth floor apartment dead.
Immediately, the Catholic Church took action to help those affected by the fire. Our lady of Mount Carmel pastor Father Morris was at the scene offering support and prayers. A prayer service is scheduled at his parish on January 2nd. Another nearby parish, St. Martin of Tours where my uncle served as a deacon and my grand mother attended also started a clothing drive. So far, only the Catholic Church has been active in humanitarian aid. Local Baptist, Kingdom Halls, Mosques and Pentecostal organizations have not been present to help.
So sad. 12 died in a fire at 2363 Prospect avenue in the #Bronx. Among them a 1 year old. Pray for those affected.— ☧Sacerdotus™ (@Sacerdotus) December 29, 2017
This tragedy occurred just a few blocks from my parish. Please pray for the families involved, with whom I spent the night in the hospital, as they grieved. 12 confirmed dead. https://t.co/yDVCpjH45k— Fr. Jonathan Morris (@fatherjonathan) December 29, 2017
The fire in the #Bronx is not too far from where I grew up in #Belmont and Prospect. What a tragedy during the holidays. Saddens me that the victims possibly celebrated #Christmas on Monday and were probably looking forward to the #NewYear2018. May they rest in peace.— ☧Sacerdotus™ (@Sacerdotus) December 29, 2017
Apparently, the #BronxFire was caused by a 3 year old boy playing with the stove. #Bronx #Belmont #Prospect— ☧Sacerdotus™ (@Sacerdotus) December 29, 2017
It is always the #CatholicChurch that comes to help everyone first. #Bronxfire— ☧Sacerdotus™ (@Sacerdotus) December 30, 2017
After deadly Bronx apartment fire, FDNY commissioner stresses need to close the door when exiting from a fire. "The results if you don't are what happened here last night." https://t.co/Q8koiLslMU pic.twitter.com/3qDRYbM4O9— ABC News (@ABC) December 29, 2017
— ☧Sacerdotus™ (@Sacerdotus) December 29, 2017
You can donate at:
St. Martin of Tours #Catholic parish on 182 street and Crotona ave is having a clothes drive for those suffering from yesterday's #BronxFire. Come Saturday from 9 Am to 4 PM AND DONATE clothes. #Bronx #retweet https://t.co/tVKat7qyyW— ☧Sacerdotus™ (@Sacerdotus) December 29, 2017
St. Martin of Tours #Catholic parish on 182 street and Crotona ave is having a clothes drive for those suffering from yesterday's #BronxFire. Come Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 4 PM AND DONATE clothes. #Bronx #retweet https://t.co/tVKat7qyyW— ☧Sacerdotus™ (@Sacerdotus) December 30, 2017
there were two fires on my block this past week, it’s barely 21 degrees in NYC and a lotta people (some who are my dear friends)— ESSE (@EssenceChave) December 30, 2017
are without winter coats/shoes & basic necessities ... a RT could truly do a lot #BronxFire #bronx #nyc pic.twitter.com/LIp2Lu4lTI
— Veronica 🎗 (@meangirl1) December 30, 2017
Church of Saint Martin no longer accepting donations for #TheBronxFire they are filled to capacity and rerouting people to “Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church” located at 627 E. 187th, Bronx #Bronx #RT pic.twitter.com/Qdmf48Jt12— Dorissa White (@NYCDorissa) December 30, 2017
HAPPENING NOW: We are collecting donations for all the victims affected by Thursday’s tragic fire. Toys, coats, clothes, non perishable foods, etc. Thank you to those that have already donated! You still have time to donate! Anything helps! St Martin of Tour 2239 Crotona Ave pic.twitter.com/zcLM0VJfHJ— NYPD 48th Precinct (@NYPD48Pct) December 30, 2017
They are not accepting anymore due to lack of space. Go to Our Lady of Mt Carmel or Grace Dodge high school. Both by 187st.— ☧Sacerdotus™ (@Sacerdotus) December 30, 2017
Let us pray for all those affected. I cannot imagine the pain and suffering the family and friends of the fire victims are experiencing. To lose people just days after Christmas is heart-breaking.
Source:
https://therealdeal.com/2017/12/28/nycs-deadliest-fire-in-decades-kills-at-least-12-in-the-bronx/
http://pix11.com/2017/12/28/multiple-people-injured-in-bronx-apartment-fire/
https://nypost.com/2017/12/29/inside-the-charred-remains-of-the-fatal-bronx-fire-building/
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/28/nyregion/bronx-fire.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/child-playing-stove-ignited-bronx-fire-killed-12-people-article-1.3725603
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5219605/FDNY-15-people-seriously-injured-Bronx-fire.html
http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/new-york/2017/12/30/fdny-releases-fatal-bronx-apartment-fire-video/992301001/
https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2017/12/30/priest-asks-prayers-victims-bronx-fire-families/
https://nypost.com/2017/12/30/fdny-chiefs-recall-first-moments-at-deadly-bronx-fire/
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/bronx-fire-starter-mom-didn-alert-neighbors-blaze-tenant-article-1.3727754
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/12/at-least-12-dead-in-bronx-fire-nycs-deadliest-in-decades.html
https://www.trulia.com/homes/New_York/Bronx/sold/1000597781-2363-Prospect-Ave-Bronx-NY-10458
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