Several cars erupted in flames just after midnight Tuesday inside St. Raymond's Old Cemetery in Throggs Neck, sending thick smoke over nearby blocks and drawing a major emergency response. Fire crews rushed to the grounds near Whittemore and Balcom avenues shortly after midnight and stayed on scene into the early morning. Officials said it took nearly two hours to bring the fire under control, and no injuries were reported.
According to News12 New York, FDNY units were called to Whittemore and Balcom avenues at about 12:20 a.m. Firefighters worked for almost two hours to contain the flames, and the outlet noted that there were no reported injuries.
Where It Happened
The vehicles caught fire inside the grounds of St. Raymond's Old Cemetery. The cemetery lists the "Old Cemetery" entrance at 1201 Balcom Ave, set amid residential streets near East Tremont and Lafayette avenues in Throggs Neck. For exact directions, see the St. Raymond's Cemetery website.
Neighborhood Context
The cemetery blaze hit as the neighborhood has been dealing with a run of late-night fires. Twin Late-Night Blazes the night before had already rattled Throggs Neck, with two separate house fires just blocks away sending residents to hospitals and injuring a firefighter. Local coverage has also pointed to several larger incidents across the Bronx this year that have stretched FDNY resources on busy nights.
Officials have not yet released a cause for the cemetery vehicle fire, and investigators had not commented publicly at the time of reporting, according to News12 New York. This story will be updated if fire or police officials provide additional details.
