University Heights fire destroys multifamily home, damages buildings
FDNY officials said the call came in just before 8 a.m. for a fire on the top floor of a building at 2321 Grand Ave.
A fire in University Heights Sunday morning left a multifamily home destroyed and several buildings along Grand Avenue.
FDNY officials said the call came in just before 8 a.m. for a fire on the top floor of a building at 2321 Grand Ave.
Firefighters said cold temperatures created icy conditions and a vehicle parked in front of a fire pump delayed efforts to extinguish the blaze.
The fire was eventually brought under control, but the building sustained extensive damage, including significant water damage in the basement.
Several residents were displaced. The American Red Cross was on scene assisting those who lost their homes.
Menya Wrenn, a resident, said she was getting her children ready for school when she noticed smoke inside her apartment.
“My son was like, ‘The wall is smoking,’” Wrenn said. “So I went to see what he was talking about and the bathroom was smoking. I opened the window. The thermostat was smoking. My landlord had somebody come to fix it, but they even told my landlord it was wired wrong.”
Manny Fernandez, who lives in a first-floor apartment above one of the flooded basements, said his home was ruined when the fire spread to his neighboring building.
“You see this stuff in the news all day, but it hits full circle when it happens to you,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez said he salvaged what belongings he could, hanging clothes on a scaffolding outside the building, before heading to work to keep his mind off the damage.
“I’m discouraged because of what happened, but thank God I’m alive,” he said.
Several residents were forced from their homes. The American Red Cross responded to assist 22 displaced residents.
FDNY officials said the fire was reported as an electrical fire. The cause remains under investigation.
Any residents who did not connect with the Red Cross responders on scene should call 877-REDCROSS for assistance.
