Two people were injured early Sunday when flames tore through a Claremont Village residential high-rise, rattling neighbors awake in the middle of the night.
The fire broke out around 3 a.m. on the tenth floor of 1408 Webster Ave, and both victims were taken to local hospitals for treatment while officials worked to determine what sparked the blaze.
According to News 12 The Bronx, the flames started on the 10th floor, sending two people to the hospital. Their conditions were not immediately clear, and authorities told the outlet that the cause remained under investigation.
Where It Happened
City records list 1408 Webster Ave as part of the Butler Houses public housing complex, according to the NYC consolidated plan. The Butler development stretches across several high-rise buildings along Webster Avenue near East 170th Street and has been the focus of safety and maintenance efforts in recent years.
Response and Investigation
Officials have not released the victims' names or the hospitals where they were treated, saying investigators are still digging into how the fire started. In the meantime, the FDNY continues to push its guidance on smoke alarms, heater safety and lithium-ion battery precautions, urging New Yorkers to double-check alarms and escape plans before the next emergency.
Claremont's Recent Fires
Claremont Village has been dealing with a rough fire season. This winter brought several major blazes, including a five-alarm fire in January that injured three people and displaced residents, as reported in three injured as five-alarm blaze. That incident, along with other Webster Avenue fires in recent months, has underscored why officials keep repeating the same message about working smoke alarms and careful use of heaters and batteries.
Authorities are expected to release more details as the investigation into the latest fire continues. Anyone with information about the early-morning blaze is urged to contact local law enforcement or emergency services.
