THE BRONX — A five-alarm fire broke out at a two-story residence in Unionport Thursday before spreading to neighboring buildings, the FDNY said.
Firefighters got the call about the blaze at 1136 Olmstead Ave., near Powell Avenue, around 3:40 p.m., fire officials said. The blaze quickly spread to five other buildings, destroying two of them completely, and injuring one civilian and eight firefighters.
One firefighter suffered serious injuries from excessive heat and smoke and was taken to Jacobi Medical Center, where he was later listed in stable condition, Chief of Department James E. Leonard said at the scene.
About 200 firefighters responded to the scene, according to fire officials, and they did not bring the blaze under control until after 6:30 p.m.
Seven firefighters were evaluated for injuries but did not need to be taken to the hospital. The civilian suffered minor injuries, officials said.
Leonard said the cause of the fire was still under investigation and that two of the two badly-damaged homes may need to be demolished.
"These buildings can collapse very quickly," added the chief about the wood-frame homes.
There were five apartments damaged, but it was not immediately clear how many people would be displaced.