Bronx, NY (August 20, 2026) – Four people, including two firefighters, were injured in a four-alarm fire at an apartment building at 3435 DeKalb Avenue in the Norwood section of the Bronx early on Thursday morning, according to the FDNY. The fire broke out just before 6 a.m. on the top floor and spread to the cockloft; officials believe it had been burning for some time before residents noticed it.
Firefighters faced complications while battling the blaze, including blown-in insulation that trapped heat and smoke, and two cars blocking a fire hydrant that slowed getting water into the building. About 75 fire and EMS units responded. Two residents and two firefighters suffered minor, non-life-threatening injuries.
The Red Cross set up an emergency response at Mosholu Montefiore Community Center for the dozens of residents left without a home. The cause remains under investigation.
We hope all four have a full recovery.
Why Do Blocked Fire Hydrants Slow Down a Firefighting Response?
Hydrants need clear, immediate access so crews can connect hoses and start pumping water within moments of arriving, since every minute matters once a fire is actively spreading. A vehicle parked directly in front of a hydrant can force crews to find an alternate water source or work around the obstruction entirely.
This kind of delay can be especially costly in a fire that’s already been burning unnoticed for some time, since more of the structure may already be involved by the time water reaches it. Even a few extra minutes searching for another hydrant can allow flames to spread further into adjoining spaces like a cockloft.
Fire departments generally rely on the public to keep hydrants clear specifically for situations like this, since there’s no way to know in advance which hydrant a crew will need during an emergency. This is part of why blocked hydrants remain a recurring complication in urban firefighting.
