The heartbreak from April’s deadly Bronx fire has a name and a face. On May 7, the family of 19-year-old Nakayla Moreno confirmed she was one of two people killed when a fast-moving fire tore through a five-story building at 660 East 187th Street in the Belmont section of the Bronx on April 21. Relatives say Moreno loved food, dancing and family, and that she was cremated on May 1 and will be honored at a memorial service. A 17-year-old, Michelle Gonzalez, was also killed, several people were injured and part of the building collapsed during the blaze.
Family confirms identity and plans a memorial
A family spokesperson told News 12 that Moreno was “a free-spirited girl who loved food, dancing and her family,” and that relatives are now focused on planning a memorial to celebrate her life. According to News 12, loved ones said she was cremated on May 1 and that the family is still reeling from the sudden loss.
FDNY: Blaze raced up stairwells and triggered a massive response
Fire officials said the blaze was reported in the early afternoon and quickly escalated into a multi-alarm response as crews encountered heavy fire on several floors of the mixed-use building. Firefighters were forced to pull back to exterior operations after part of the roof and a stairwell gave way. According to FOX 5 New York, the FDNY discovered two civilians dead and reported that more than a dozen people either suffered injuries or needed treatment at the scene.
Families left in limbo for days
Nakayla’s aunt told reporters the family endured nearly a week of agonizing uncertainty because her remains were so badly burned that visual identification was impossible. Instead, relatives say investigators used dental records to confirm who she was. That timeline and the family’s account were reported by the New York Daily News.
Aftermath: vacate order, displaced residents and relief efforts
The city Department of Buildings issued a full vacate order for the damaged five-story structure and required immediate safety work, leaving residents with nowhere to go in the short term. The Red Cross registered dozens of households for emergency assistance. Norwood News and other local outlets report that inspectors found extensive structural damage and that a reception center was opened to help displaced tenants connect with services.
Investigation, safety questions and fundraisers
Fire marshals are still investigating how the fire started, while city officials say they will review the building’s safety systems as families press for answers about what went wrong. As CBS New York reported, officials noted that doors left open may have allowed flames and smoke to race through the building much faster. Both families have launched online fundraisers to help cover funeral expenses, according to local reporting in Spanish-language outlets.
Community response and what comes next
Neighbors and local leaders have rallied around the grieving families and those who lost their homes, offering everything from clothing to hot meals as the community tries to regain its footing. The Department of Buildings has said the structure is not safe to occupy while engineers continue to assess the damage. Norwood News and other local outlets are tracking the recovery work at the site and the city’s coordination with the Red Cross and other agencies, even as families move forward with memorial plans for Moreno, Gonzalez and others caught up in the tragedy.
