Inferno rips through NYC building, injuring 3 as FDNY’s response slowed by cars too close to hydrants

A massive inferno ripped through a Bronx apartment building early Monday — injuring three people, including two firefighters — as the FDNY’s response was hampered by illegally parked cars too close to hydrants, according to officials.

The blaze started in a deli on Findlay Avenue around 3:15 a.m. and the flames spread to the apartment units on the several floors above it and slightly to the wing of the next building, fire department officials said.

One civilian and two firefighters suffered minor injuries, the department said.

The FDNY’s response was slowed by illegally parked cars. FDNY

Fire trucks reached the scene in less than four minutes — but the response was slowed by “three cars parked on three different hydrants,” said FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito in a statement.

“We had a little bit of an ice condition but the biggest issue was those blocked fire hydrants,” he said. “Our firefighters are very good but it does delay us.”

The cars were ticketed and towed, according to the FDNY.

It took about four hours to get the fire under control. Robert Mecea

The fire was ultimately under control in about four hours.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani thanked first responders for their actions that “saved lives.”

“Early this morning, a five-alarm fire broke out on Findlay Avenue in Claremont,” he said on X.

The blaze began at 3:15 a.m. FDNY

“Three people, including two firefighters, were injured but thanks to the over 250 first responders who rushed to the scene, the building was evacuated without loss of life.”

An investigation into the cause of the fire was underway. 

Displaced residents were directed to a reception center at the William Howard Taft school building with the Red Cross assisting.