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FDNY issues 1st ever criminal summons for blocking hydrant after fatal Bronx fire
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Feb 28, 2025
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By
Giulia Heyward
Published Feb 28, 2025
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The New York City Fire Department issued its first-ever criminal summons to a driver whose car blocked a fire hydrant and slowed down efforts to extinguish a Bronx fire that killed two people, officials said on Friday.
Blocked fire hydrants are a common occurrence across the city. The deadly Bronx fire occurred mere days after another blocked hydrant slowed down efforts to subdue a deadly fire in Brooklyn. And earlier this month, a group of Queens residents who said blocked fire hydrants are rampant in their neighborhood sent the FDNY a letter demanding stricter enforcement.
The FDNY did not identify the individual who was fined $4,000 for violating a section of the city's fire code that makes it illegal to render a fire hydrant inaccessible or inoperable.
However, fire department officials said the parked vehicle blocked the closest fire hydrant located directly across the street from a building where a three-alarm fire broke out on Feb. 12. Two people died in the blaze, which officials said was caused by a space heater.
In a statement, FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said he hoped the pricey ticket would deter New Yorkers from blocking fire hydrants.
“Seconds count in an emergency, and blocking a fire hydrant is a selfish decision that can kill people and endanger FDNY members as they work to save residents,” Tucker said.
Tagged
new york city
public safety
bronx
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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