Tragedy struck early Wednesday morning when a fire engulfed a Bronx Thai Buddhist temple, along with an adjacent residential building, resulting in two fatalities. The blaze, which erupted on Anthony Avenue in the Tremont section of the Bronx just after 6 a.m., has raised concerns about public safety, as FDNY crews faced a critical hindrance due to a car illegally parked in front of a crucial fire hydrant, as ABC7NY reported.

"We did unfortunately have a car parked on the closest fire hydrant, we've seen that now a couple of times in the last week or so throughout the city, but yes, there was another car blocking a fire hydrant," FDNY Chief John Esposito said, underscoring the gravity of such negligent acts. According to NBC New York, despite these initial setbacks, more than 150 FDNY personnel were deployed to combat, and ultimately extinguish the flames by approximately 8:30 a.m.

The victims, whose identities have not been disclosed, were found on the second floor of the residential building located next to the temple. One individual was pronounced dead at the scene while, the other succumbed to their injuries after being taken to the hospital. The intense fire also captured attention on social media, with videos surfacing that displayed the raging fire as it tore through the buildings, as per NBC New York.

While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, the Bureau of Fire Prevention was on-site to evaluate if there were any infractions within the building. This incident not only highlights the perils of obstructive parking but also serves as a somber reminder of the potential consequences of such actions. "Seconds count when we are fighting fire, and that slows us down," Chief Esposito told ABC7NY, stressing the critical role timing plays during emergency responses.