Seven Others Injured In 3-Alarm Fire
Fire marshals are continuing to investigate the cause of a three-alarm inferno at a Bushwick home early on Sunday morning, Jan. 15, that claimed the life of a seven-year-old boy and injured seven others, Fire Department sources said.
Police said that Joel Smith-a seven-year-old resident of Decatur Street whom published reports identified as a student of P.S. 45 in Bushwick- was pulled out of a bedroom unconscious and pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Reportedly, the blaze ignited at around 1:20 a.m. on the first floor of the residence on Decatur Street near Evergreen Avenue. According to Fire Department sources said the flames quickly spread to the upper floors of the structure and moved to an adjoining building.
Among the Fire Department units that rushed to the scene (in the order of their arrival) were Engine companies 233, 222, 277, 231, 227, 218, 271, 234, 332 and 217; Ladder companies 176, 112, 120, 124, 175, 111 and 103; Squad companies 252 and 1; Rescue 2 and Battalions 37, 44, 28, 38 and 39, under the direction of Division 13.
Officers from the 83rd Precinct, EMS units and the Office of Emergency Management also responded to the incident.
Seven other residents were transported by paramedics to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center and Woodhull Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained during the blaze.
In all, six families were displaced as a result of damage caused by the inferno, FDNY sources noted. They were provided with assistance by the American Red Cross of Greater New York.
Using five hose lines, firefighters brought the blaze under control about 90 minutes after the inferno ignited, it was reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by FDNY marshals, it was reported.
