Fires in New York's Queens and Bronx leave 15 injured

New York, New York - Fires that sprung up in Queens and the Bronx injured 15 people – 13 of them firefighters – on Monday.

The New York City Fire Department on Monday responded to fires that broke out in Queens and the Bronx.
The New York City Fire Department on Monday responded to fires that broke out in Queens and the Bronx.  © Screenshot/Twitter/FDNY

A blaze erupted on the 27th floor of the gated North Shore Towers and Country Club off Grand Central Parkway at about 4:30 AM.

Smoke-eaters quelled the blaze at 6:32 PM, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) said.

Paramedics rushed four firefighters and one civilian to Long Island Jewish Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries, according to a Fire Department spokesperson.

Over 200 firefighters rush in as New York City house fire spreads throughout neighborhood
Firefighting Over 200 firefighters rush in as New York City house fire spreads throughout neighborhood

The Bronx fire sparked in a three-story building on Castle Hill Ave. near the Cross Bronx Expressway at shortly after 2:00 PM, before spreading to a neighboring building of roughly the same size, according to FDNY Chief of Operations John Esposito.

The fire engulfed the top floors of both buildings, before burning through the roof, Esposito said.

Summer heat increased danger of the blaze

The FDNY utilized unmanned drones to achieve a bird's-eye view of the blaze, but the summer heat forced commanders to rapidly pull personnel off the fire due to heat exhaustion, according to Esposito.

"It's a very hot day today, we've used a lot of units," said Esposito at a news briefing held amid fire operations. "We want to be careful and aware of our members of their safety, we tend to relieve them earlier."

The Bronx fire sent 10 people to the hospital for non-fatal injuries, including nine firefighters who were treated for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion, according to EMS Operations Deputy Chief Joseph Pataky.

Cover photo: Screenshot/Twitter/FDNY

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