A three-alarm fire ripped through the busy corner of East 187th Street and Belmont Avenue in the Bronx's Belmont neighborhood on Tuesday, sending thick smoke drifting over nearby blocks and tangling traffic as firefighters moved in.
Fire crews responded to the intersection while city officials urged anyone in the area to brace for heavy smoke and street closures and to take basic precautions at home. Residents were told to stay clear of the smoke, keep windows shut, and expect delays while the FDNY worked to get the blaze under control.
RT @NotifyNYC: .@FDNY Three Alarm Fire: E 187th St & Belmont Ave, The Bronx. Expect smoke & traffic delays in the area. People nearby should avoid smoke and close windows.
- FDNY (@FDNY) April 21, 2026
FDNY Alert And Safety Advice
According to a NotifyNYC alert shared via the FDNY account, the incident was classified as a three-alarm fire at East 187th Street and Belmont Avenue, with residents warned to expect smoke and traffic delays. The advisory echoed standard city guidance and pointed locals to multilingual and ASL resources for anyone who needed help understanding the alerts.
How To Protect Yourself From Smoke
Health officials say the basics still matter most: stay indoors if you can, keep windows and doors closed, and set air conditioners to recirculate so you are not pulling smoky air inside. Per the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, residents should use HEPA air cleaners if available, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and wear a properly fitted N95 or KN95 respirator if they have to be outside when smoke is heavy.
Belmont's Recent Fire History
This is not the first major fire to hit the Belmont corridor in recent weeks. In March, a five-alarm blaze on East 184th Street killed one person and injured several firefighters. Local coverage documented significant damage and the setup of an emergency reception center for displaced residents, highlighting how hard large fires can hit this neighborhood; see News 12 for reporting.
This story will be updated as the FDNY and other city agencies release more information. For ongoing alerts and official guidance, residents can follow FDNY and NotifyNYC on X and keep an eye on local air-quality tools for real-time conditions.
