THE BRONX — Three firefighters suffered critical injuries while responding to a massive blaze that engulfed three buildings and was sparked by kids playing with a stove, FDNY officials said.
The fire broke out in a residential building at 636 E. 235th St., near Carpenter Avenue, at about 12:35 p.m. and quickly spread to two buildings, an FDNY spokesman said. It wasn't immediately clear which buildings were scorched.
About 130 firefighters brought the blaze under control by 4:36 p.m., officials said.
Fire marshals determined that the blaze was sparked by kids playing with a stove.
#FireMarshals: 4 alarm fire @ 636 E235 St in #Bronx today caused by children playing with fire on a stovetop. pic.twitter.com/swsxO6nvhU
— FDNY (@FDNY) August 10, 2016
Two firefighters were critically injured in the blaze and were treated at Jacobi Hospital, where they're considered stable, an FDNY spokesman said.
Another firefighter's arm was critically injured when an FDNY vehicle got into a crash at Westchester Avenue and Waters Place while responding to the blaze about 3:44 p.m., the spokesman said. The details of the crash were not immediately available.
BX ALL HANDS 790 GRAND CONCOURSE, MULTIPLE DWELLING FIRE ON 2ND FL, UNDER CONTROL
— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) August 10, 2016
Mayor Bill de Blasio and FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro visited the hospital after the fire.
Commissioner Nigro & Chief Leonard brief @BilldeBlasio on critically injured #Firefighters in the #Bronx pic.twitter.com/S4pIULgOnF
— FDNY (@FDNY) August 9, 2016
Two other firefighters who were injured, one seriously and the other suffered minor injuries, were also treated at Jacobi Hospital, officials said.
The blaze also displaced eight families made up of 19 adults and seven children, according to the Red Cross which helped them.
The Red Cross gave temporary housing to six adults and five children, they said.