Three firefighters were injured during fire and a fourth was injured in a crash
Fire officials said kids playing with a stove led to a blaze that injured three firefighters at the scene Tuesday afternoon. Another firefighter suffered critical injuries while responding to cover an empty Bronx fire station.
The fire was reported at 12:30 p.m. in a two-story home at 636 East 235th Street in the Bronx.
Flames spread to four other homes and four alarms were sounded, according to a statement released from the department.
About 30 minutes into the fire, a mayday was called and that situation was quickly mitigated.
Joseph Brady, 51, and a 17-year member of the department suffered a heart attack and was rushed to Jacobi Hospital. Firefighter Patrick Morello, 44, suffered heat stroke.
Both were listed in critical but stable condition.
Lt. Joseph Martorell, 54, suffered serious burn injuries and was released following treatment.
While travelling to cover a Bronx fire station, Tower Ladder 138 was involved in an accident.
The accident happened at 3:44 p.m. at Westchester Avenue and Waters Place.
Firefighter Sean O’Rourke, 44, suffered a critical injury to the arm. He was rushed to Jacobi Hospital where he was placed into surgery.
“To have a member come in – when I saw his arm and shoulder – it was very upsetting,” FDNY Chief of Department James Leonard said. “We deal with a lot of tough things, but it was a tough day for the Fire Department.”
FDNY officials said the fire was caused by children playing with fire on a stovetop.
