A pre‑dawn five‑alarm fire on Jan. 6 in the Bronx injured six people — including a firefighter struck by a falling air‑conditioning unit — and displaced nearly 30 families. More than 270 firefighters fought flames that reached every floor and led to a partial roof collapse. Officials described all injuries as minor; the American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents. FDNY Fire Marshals are investigating the cause.
Five‑Alarm Bronx Blaze Injures Six — Firefighter Struck by Falling AC; Nearly 30 Families Displaced
New York City Fire Department/FacebookFDNY responded to a 5-alarm fire at 1824 Madison Street in Queens
A five‑alarm fire ripped through a multi‑family building in the Bronx before dawn on Jan. 6, injuring six people — including a firefighter struck in the head by a falling air‑conditioning unit — and displacing nearly 30 families, city officials said.
The blaze began just before 3:25 a.m. on the first floor of a building on Madison Street near Seneca Avenue, according to ABC 7 NY. More than 270 first responders rushed to the scene as flames spread to every floor of the structure and caused a partial roof collapse on the top floor.
Response
FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito said crews encountered fire on all floors and battled heavy conditions. 'We eventually had fire on all floors,' Esposito told reporters, noting that several firefighters suffered minor injuries during the response. One firefighter was struck in the head by an air‑conditioning unit that fell from a window and was transported to a hospital; a resident with injuries was taken to New York‑Presbyterian Queens Hospital.
New York City Fire Department/FacebookFDNY responded to a 5-alarm fire at 1824 Madison Street in Queens
In a statement posted to the FDNY's Facebook page, Chief of EMS Operations Paul Miano said all six people treated following the fire received care for 'minor injuries.'
The FDNY released video of crews working together to extinguish the flames and stabilize the scene. The American Red Cross is assisting affected families with temporary shelter and recovery resources.
Residents and Impact
Residents described a frantic evacuation in the middle of the night. Jaelene Gomez told CBS News she was awakened by first responders knocking on doors and shouting to get out. Another resident, Joann Pucaria, said she and her daughter escaped and were grateful to be alive but face the difficult task of rebuilding their lives and replacing lost belongings.
Context and Investigation
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and FDNY officials noted that this five‑alarm blaze followed another five‑alarm fire in the Bronx on Jan. 5. Mamdani said double‑parked cars blocking hydrants during the earlier blaze caused delays and praised FDNY crews for their work across both incidents. 'To have two five alarm fires without a loss of life is a testament and a credit to the incredible work of the first responders that we have here in the city,' he said.
The cause of the Jan. 6 fire has not been released. FDNY Fire Marshals are investigating.
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