One man is dead and seven people were injured in a fire that broke out late Saturday night in an apartment building in the Bronx.
Five of the victims are in serious condition, and two have minor injuries, fire officials said. They were all taken to Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center.
More than 120 people had to scramble to safety, fire officials said. One resident, Kwame McMillen said "people were screaming," and described intense heat while escaping the massive blaze.
The fire was under control about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, less than an hour after an initial report of the blaze, FDNY said. The department says the man who died was 46, and his identity is being withheld until his family is notified.
The fire erupted in a five-story building on East 169th Street, west of the Grand Concourse. The Red Cross has set up a shelter at PS 64 at 425 Walton Avenue in the Bronx to assist the estimated 35 families displaced by the blaze.
Dinorah Gonzalez, who lived in the building, told NBCNewYork described the scene. "I saw (a) flame trying to come inside my apartment." The tragedy, which happened just days after Thanksgiving, left many wondering what to do. "It's sad," Gonzalez said.
