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3 injured in 5-alarm fire in Bronx as cars blocked nearby hydrants, NYC officials say
By
Andrew Giambrone
Published Jan 5, 2026
Modified Jan 5, 2026
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FDNY
By
Andrew Giambrone
Published Jan 5, 2026
Modified Jan 5, 2026
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Three people were injured in a five-alarm fire in the Bronx early Monday morning, FDNY officials and Mayor Zohran Mamdani said.
Those injured include two firefighters and a civilian, according to the department and mayor. Their injuries were reported to be minor.
The blaze broke out in a building at Findlay Avenue and East 170th Street in Claremont around 3:20 a.m. It was upgraded to five alarms shortly after 4:30 a.m.
More than 250 firefighters and emergency medical workers responded to the fire, according to the FDNY. The five-story building features apartments and a first-floor deli.
Officials said firefighters' efforts to extinguish the blaze were made more difficult by cars illegally blocking nearby hydrants.
"We had three cars parked on three different fire hydrants, which delayed our operation," FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito said. "We had a little bit of an ice condition, but the biggest issue was those blocked fire hydrants."
"Those cars that were parked on hydrants are being ticketed and towed,” he added.
Firefighters work to put out a fire in the Bronx as parked cars block nearby hydrants on Jan. 5, 2026.
FDNY
The building was evacuated without any lives lost, Mamdani said. Fire officials said the fire was brought under control by 7:15 a.m. and fire marshals are investigating its cause.
"Residents, workers and commuters in the area should expect heavy smoke, street closures and significant traffic delays," the city's Emergency Management agency tweeted Monday. Officials urged people to avoid the area if possible and close their windows if they live nearby.
The FDNY and NYPD will monitor the building overnight, according to Emergency Management. The agency said the city's Department of Buildings has issued a full vacate order for the building, and the Department of Environmental Protection is conducting asbestos testing on site.
This story has been updated with additional information.
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bronx
claremont
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new york city
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Andrew Giambrone
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