A two-alarm Bronx fire on Sunday morning engulfed a home and left four people dead, Fire Department sources reported.
Two victims died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries at Jacobi Hospital, the FDNY said. At least one of the victims is believed to be a baby, law enforcement sources said; WABC-TV reported that two other victims were children.
According to authorities, the blaze ignited at about 6:01 a.m. on Oct. 30 in the rear of a two-story home at 2165 Quimby Ave., off Castle Hill Avenue, in Unionport.
More than 106 firefighters and EMS personnel from 25 units responded to the inferno, which quickly grew into a two-alarm event.
“I couldn’t see anything,” one neighbor who lives next door to the family told amNewYork Metro. “When I ran outside the building has heavy black smoke pouring out of it. The woman was pounding on the door to get out. I caught one of the kids. This is crushing.”
Six people, in all, were pulled from the residence, according to the Fire Department.
Two of the victims — two boys, ages 10 and 12 — were pronounced dead at the scene. Police said another pair of victims died at Jacobi Hospital: a 22-year-old man and a 10-month-old girl.
At this hour, two adult victims — a 21-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man – remain hospitalized at Jacobi Hospital in critical condition, law enforcement sources said.
Firefighters eventually brought the fire under control nearly two hours later, at about 7:54 a.m. Sunday. Fire marshals are now investigating its cause.
The young victims’ devastated uncle was at the scene later on Sunday morning as FDNY marshals and other officials combed the building for additional clues as to how the fire started and spread.
“They were amazing kids, so filled with life and joy,” said the uncle, who asked not to be identified. “This is devastating for the family.”
This story was updated at 3:50 p.m. on Oct. 30.
