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New York, NY (May 7, 2026) – Three people are dead following two apartment fires that broke out a day apart in Queens and the Bronx, with emergency units discovering additional victims during search operations.
The first fire occurred on Wednesday morning on Third Ave near E 140th St in the Mott Haven area of the Bronx at about 5 a.m. Emergency units responded to heavy flames at a deli on the ground floor and in an apartment above it. Fire conditions were severe, and responders were initially forced to withdraw due to the risk of structural collapse.
After the fire was brought under control, one man was found dead inside the apartment. On Thursday, while continuing searches, emergency units discovered a second body in a section of the building where part of the ceiling had collapsed. Both victims have not yet been identified.
A separate fire in Queens occurred early Thursday morning on Lefferts Blvd near 95th Ave in the Richmond Hill area. Emergency units responded at about 6:45 a.m. and found heavy smoke and flames at the rear of a two-story home. A man was found dead near the origin point of the fire. His identity has not been released.
Authorities continue to investigate both fires, and more details will be released as soon as they become available. Our condolences go out to the families affected.
How Fire Investigations Handle Multiple Residential Blazes in a Short Time Frame
When multiple fires occur within a short period, investigators typically examine each scene separately while also comparing possible similarities in origin, structure type, and fire progression. This helps determine whether each incident is isolated or shares common contributing factors.
At each location, teams often study burn patterns, structural collapse zones, and areas of heaviest damage to identify where the fire began. In multi-unit or mixed-use buildings, investigators also review how flames may have spread between commercial and residential spaces.
Victim recovery locations can also provide insight into fire behavior and escape conditions. Weather, building layout, and interior access points are usually documented to help reconstruct how quickly conditions changed inside each structure.
