Red Cross assists families after Decatur Avenue fire

<p>Some Bronx families are picking up the pieces after Thursday&rsquo;s Decatur Avenue fire.</p>

News 12 Staff

May 5, 2018, 1:46 PM

Updated 2,176 days ago

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Some Bronx families are picking up the pieces after Thursday’s Decatur Avenue fire.
The two-alarm fire broke out around 8 p.m. Thursday night, damaging the fourth and fifth floors of the Fordham apartment building.
Fire officials say tenant Michael DiMiccoa deliberately started the fire by lighting up a bed. He has since been arrested.
No injuries were reported, but at least one person who was trapped and dangling from the fifth floor had to be saved by firefighters.
The Red Cross tells News 12 that seven apartments were damaged and five were completely destroyed. Two others were damaged but still livable.
A spokesperson from the Red Cross says that the relief organization provided emergency housing to three families and financial assistance to six.
These families complain of water damage, broken windows and other unlivable conditions. One woman told News 12 the smell of smoke is still so bad she had to take her child to urgent care.
The Red Cross is asking anyone else affected and in need of help to contact them for additional assistance.
The building was not vacated, according to the Red Cross.
News 12 reached out to the city's Department of Buildings for more information on the state of the building. The agency says, “We received a complaint regarding this property and are routing an inspector to investigate."


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