Bronx apartment building fire escalates to fifth alarm; five seriously injured

BRONX, N.Y. — A massive apartment building fire on East 209th Street in the Bronx has been upgraded to a fifth-alarm fire, as firefighters continue battling the blaze.

According to emergency dispatch reports, EMS has treated five patients with serious injuries (Code 2) and three patients with minor injuries (Code 4). An additional patient has been classified as 10-45 No Code, indicating the person’s condition has not yet been confirmed.

The fire has spread throughout the apartment building, prompting a large-scale response from the FDNY. Earlier reports indicated the blaze may have started after a lithium battery exploded on the building’s third floor.

Firefighters remain at the scene conducting searches and working to bring the fire under control. The cause of the fire and the full extent of the injuries remain under investigation.