FDNY battles flames shooting out of Riverdale home
Officials say the home was boarded up, making the response more challenging.
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An early morning fire tore through a vacant home in Riverdale on Friday, drawing more than 100 firefighters and sending thick smoke across the neighborhood.
The FDNY responded to 5501 Palisade Ave. shortly before 9:30 a.m.
Bright flames were seen shooting from the roof as crews worked to contain the two-alarm blaze.
“We had to pull our members out for safety,” Deputy Chief Facinelli said, noting firefighters on ladders were briefly obscured by heavy smoke as they battled the fire from multiple angles.
Officials say the home was boarded up, making the response more challenging.
“There are openings due to the construction that allow the fire to travel easily between floors,” Facinelli said. “We had fire in the basement, first floor, second floor and the attic.”
The flames were visible from blocks away, prompting neighbors to come outside as crews worked for more than four hours to bring the fire under control.
Firefighters say the building was vacant, and primary searches confirmed no one was inside.
