Tragedy struck the Bronx this Friday, as firefighters discovered the body of a 73-year-old woman in her apartment during their response to a blazing inferno that left many residents without a home. The grisly find was made as emergency crews battled the flames at a six-story building on Sheridan Avenue. According to a statement obtained by Gothamist, FDNY Deputy Chief Joseph Duggan confirmed the woman's death to be separate to the fire incident and that an investigation by the NYPD is currently underway.
The fire, which erupted on the top floor of the building around 3 P.M., quickly spread to rapidly to engulf the cockloft, challenging the 170 firefighters and EMS personnel who reported on the scene. Despite their efforts, nine individuals, including residents, firefighters, and police officers, sustained minor injuries from smoke inhalation, as reported by Gothamist. The fire was brought under control within three hours, leaving behind a trail of displaced residents and destruction.
One such resident, Audrey Bustos, found herself and her dog, Nyla, out in the cold due to the fire. "I have a couple of friends, I'm going to a friend's house. But thank God I have a lot of support system here. But everyone else, I don't know what they're going to do," Bustos told ABC7NY in an interview. The fire has indeed left residents grappling with immediate concerns over shelter and well-being.
Flames and smoke characterized the harrowing scene at 1520 Sheridan Avenue, as tenants scrambled to save whatever belongings they could. Another resident, living across from the origin of the fire, described it as "horrible," stating "it was like a huge fire, it was just in front of our apartment," in an interview with ABC7NY. The emotional toll on the community was evident as residents were left to contemplate the uncertainty surrounding their homes and possessions, with one saying, "Yeah, because it's my house. I mean, I don't know what is going to happen. If we can go or if we lose something."
The cause of both the fatal incident and the fire remain under investigation as the displaced community and the woman's family await answers. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner has not yet released the cause of death for the found woman, and further details are expected as inquiries progress.
