A massive fire ripped through a six-story apartment building in the Bronx, New York, on Friday morning, injuring seven people, including five firefighters. According to the FDNY, the fire broke out on the top floor of the Wallace Avenue building around 1:40 a.m., which was quickly raised to a five-alarm fire by strong winds. About 200 firefighters battled the blaze, which spread quickly, displacing dozens of residents.

“Firefighters are battling high wind conditions that pushed the fire forward,” the FDNY said, describing conditions as challenging. Videos shared by emergency services and news outlets showed flames and thick smoke pouring from the upper floors and roof of the building. By 7.30 am, firefighters were busy extinguishing the fire.

Five firefighters and two civilians are among the injured. One citizen refused hospital treatment, while five others were taken to nearby hospitals, FDNY officials confirmed. In a statement to CBS News, residents reported using space heaters due to lack of heat in the building, raising concerns about the possible cause of the fire. “It’s not warm here all the time,” said one resident of the building’s chronic problems with heating.
According to the New York Times, the fire also displaced more than 160 residents from 61 households. The Red Cross set up temporary shelters to provide relief, including one at PS 76 on Eddy Avenue. Local authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, and the city’s building department is evaluating the structure’s stability.
Meanwhile, wildfires continue to ravage parts of Los Angeles, where strong winds have fanned the flames since Tuesday. More than 10,000 structures were destroyed, and at least 10 people were killed. Among the victims were residents who were unable to evacuate in time, including a father and son in Pacific Palisades.
California firefighters are dealing with worsening fire conditions linked to climate change, rising temperatures and longer dry spells extending wildfire seasons. Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristen Crowley called the loss “total devastation and loss,” while AccuWeather estimated the economic damage at $135-$150 billion.