Three dead, more than a dozen injured in fire at Manhattan building – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pixabay)
Inwood, Manhattan – Flames erupted in the dead of night at a six-story apartment building, claiming three lives and sending 14 people to hospitals. The fire broke out around 12:30 a.m. on Monday in the walk-up structure on Dyckman Street between Broadway and Vermilyea Avenue.[1][2] Residents faced choking smoke and a single stairway engulfed in fire, forcing many to flee via fire escapes as nearly 200 firefighters battled the three-alarm blaze.
Swift Spread Traps Residents
The fire started on a lower floor and quickly raced upward through the building’s sole staircase. FDNY Chief John Esposito described how the flames consumed the stairway from the first floor to the roof, filling hallways with thick smoke.[2] At least eight apartments sustained damage, with closed doors proving crucial in limiting the destruction to some units.
One resident, Rita Vega, recounted being jolted awake by alarms and screams on the second floor. She and others evacuated amid fears of being trapped, as shattered glass and debris littered the street from firefighters’ efforts to vent the structure.[1] The rapid escalation turned a quiet night into chaos for the roughly 100 people who called the building home.
First Responders’ Intense Battle
Over 190 fire and EMS personnel rushed to the scene, escalating to a third alarm as the fire intensified. Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore called it a “very serious fire” that resulted in many patients, underscoring the challenges in such older walk-ups.[1] One firefighter sustained minor injuries during the operation.
Crews worked for hours to bring the blaze under control, inspecting units and breaking windows to release heat and smoke. Their efforts prevented further loss of life, though the building remained off-limits to residents afterward.[2]
Human Toll and Immediate Aftermath
Three residents died despite rescue attempts, with five others hospitalized in critical condition and nine more treated for injuries ranging from smoke inhalation to burns. The FDNY has not released identities or further victim details.[2] Bonsignore highlighted a key survival factor: apartments with closed doors showed little fire damage, while open ones suffered more.[1]
- Three fatalities among residents.
- 14 total treated by EMS, including five seriously hurt.
- One firefighter with minor injuries.
- About 100 displaced, aided by Red Cross on an MTA bus.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have not determined the fire’s cause, which remains under investigation. The incident serves as a stark reminder of vulnerabilities in pre-war walk-up buildings lacking elevators and multiple exits.
Commissioner Bonsignore urged preparedness: “One thing I can say is critical… close the door and leave the doors closed.”[2] As Inwood residents grapple with the loss, the community awaits answers and supports those left homeless by the tragedy.
The fire’s toll underscores the fragility of urban living, where seconds and simple actions like closing a door can mean the difference between survival and devastation. Recovery efforts continue for the survivors.
