Two People Dead in Bronx Fire at Buddhist Temple and Home; Blocked Hydrant Hinders FDNY Efforts
Firefighters battled a fatal three-alarm fire at 2064 St. Anthony Ave. in the Bronx on Feb. 12, 2025.
Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Fire Breaks Out in Buddhist Temple and Home
Two people in the Bronx were killed Wednesday morning as a massive fire ripped through a Buddhist temple and a nearby home.
Fire Department sources said the three-alarm inferno erupted inside 2064 St. Anthony Ave. in Mount Hope just before 6 a.m. on Feb. 12.
FDNY Responds to the Scene
The first arriving FDNY units encountered heavy smoke and flames but quickly began a search-and-rescue operation — crawling through the burning building to get to two victims trapped.
Both victims, however, suffered fatal injuries, according to Chief of Department John Esposito.
Blocked Hydrant Complicates Firefighting Efforts
Several parked cars blocked the closest fire hydrant to the building, complicating firefighting efforts. This cost the FDNY valuable moments in hooking up hoses to get water on the fire, thus allowing the flames to spread further.
Recurring Issue with Parked Vehicles near Fire Hydrants
It was the second time in less than a week that the FDNY responded to a deadly fire in which parked vehicles were found parked near fire hydrants — the first being a blaze at a Bay Ridge, Brooklyn apartment building on Sunday morning that claimed a man’s life.
“We’ve seen that now a couple of times in the last week throughout the city,” Esposito said. “We all know that we should not be parking on fire hydrants, and when you park on fire hydrants, it slows us down. When we’re fighting a fire, seconds count.”
The Firefight
The blaze rapidly grew to a three-alarm event, bringing more than 150 FDNY and EMS personnel to the scene. Six hose lines were set up to extinguish the flames.
The roaring fire also led to a partial roof collapse in the rear of the Buddhist temple, endangering firefighters and prompting an emergency evacuation of both buildings. Fortunately, no injuries to firefighters were reported.
Aftermath and Investigation
The American Red Cross and Office of Emergency Management provided relief to displaced residents, the Fire Department said.
FDNY marshals are investigating the exact cause of the deadly blaze.
Conclusion
The Bronx fire serves as a grim reminder of the importance of prioritizing fire safety and adhering to basic fire prevention measures. The FDNY’s swift response and efforts to rescue the trapped victims were commendable, despite the challenges posed by the blocked hydrant. As the investigation continues, it is crucial to identify the root cause of the blaze and implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
FAQs
* What was the location of the fire?
+ 2064 St. Anthony Ave. in Mount Hope, Bronx
* How many people were killed in the fire?
+ 2
* What was the cause of the fire?
+ Under investigation by the FDNY
* What was the impact of the blocked hydrant on firefighting efforts?
+ The blocked hydrant hindered the FDNY’s ability to quickly access the fire, allowing the flames to spread further.
