Overview
- Firefighters arrived at 12:09 a.m. to 3485 Bivona Street in the Boston Secor Houses to investigate a gas odor when an explosion ignited fires on the upper floors.
- Flames spread across apartments on the 15th, 16th and 17th floors, with severe structural damage reported in six apartments on each of the 15th and 16th floors.
- One person died and 15 were injured, including one in critical condition, five with serious injuries and eight with minor injuries; one firefighter was among those hurt.
- The response reached four alarms with more than 200 FDNY and EMS personnel, the fire was brought under control around 5 a.m., and firefighters were briefly trapped in an elevator during operations.
- Roughly 150 apartments were evacuated as the Red Cross assisted displaced residents at a nearby school, and fire marshals plus city agencies continue to investigate the cause and inspect utilities following recent gas-system work reported as completed.