What to Know
- The body of a worker who went missing after a massive Bronx junkyard fire has been found the day after black smoke filled the air
- Officials found the body on Thursday. He had been missing since the flames broke out around 3 p.m. Wednesday after a fire in Eastchester
- Another worker was badly injured in the fire and was taken to Jacobi Medical Center with serious, life-threatening injuries
The body of a worker who went missing after a massive Bronx junkyard fire has been found the day after enormous plumes of black smoke billowed into the air.
Officials found the body on Thursday. He had been missing since the flames broke out around 3 p.m. on Wednesday following an explosion and multi-alarm fire at New England Used Auto Parts in Eastchester.
Witnesses said they heard — or even felt — some type of explosion right before seeing the smoke rise up, and it took about 150 firefighters to extinguish the flames.
Another worker was badly injured in the fire and was taken to Jacobi Medical Center with serious, life-threatening injuries, according to the FDNY. The man just welcomed a new baby, his cousin told News 4, and witnesses saw him coming out from the fire burning. One man nearby said they smothered the victim and cut off his shirt to prevent the clothes from sticking to his open wounds.
Fire officials also say that exploding tires — as a result of the fire — may be causing the "popping" sound people nearby reported hearing.
Video captured the heavy, thick and black smoke rising well above the houses and apartment buildings in the surrounding area before dispersing across the afternoon sky.
Fire officials are investigating how the fire started.
