Nine firefighters and two children were taken to the hospital after a five-alarm fire ripped through several private homes in the Bronx early Wednesday, displacing five families amid a punishing heat wave that shows no signs of easing up, authorities said.
About 250 firefighters responded to the blaze on Commonwealth Avenue in Parkchester shortly before 3 a.m. Fire officials said the severity of the fire escalated to a fifth alarm over the next two hours, primarily because crews needed to be rotated due to heat concerns.
The Red Cross said the blaze destroyed three buildings and put five families out on the street. The 15 children and 10 adults in those families affected by the fire are being assisted by the Red Cross.
Two children who suffered smoke inhalation during the fire were taken to the hospital, but are expected to be fine, fire officials said. The firefighters taken to the hospital suffered mainly bumps and bruises.
The blaze was contained by about 6 a.m., but authorities were monitoring it for potential hotspots.
Authorities believe the fire started in one home and spread to several others, including the one where Michael Carrion lives with his family. He said his 21-year-old son woke up the family when he smelled smoke, and they were able to get out safely.
About 250 firefighters responded to the blaze on Commonwealth Avenue in Parkchester shortly before 3 a.m. Fire officials said the severity of the fire escalated to a fifth alarm over the next two hours, primarily because crews needed to be rotated due to heat concerns.
The Red Cross said the blaze destroyed three buildings and put five families out on the street. The 15 children and 10 adults in those families affected by the fire are being assisted by the Red Cross.
Two children who suffered smoke inhalation during the fire were taken to the hospital, but are expected to be fine, fire officials said. The firefighters taken to the hospital suffered mainly bumps and bruises.
The blaze was contained by about 6 a.m., but authorities were monitoring it for potential hotspots.
Authorities believe the fire started in one home and spread to several others, including the one where Michael Carrion lives with his family. He said his 21-year-old son woke up the family when he smelled smoke, and they were able to get out safely.
