A fire that broke out early Thursday morning in the Norwood section of the Bronx quickly grew into a four-alarm blaze, and firefighters said their response was hampered by cars parked directly on a fire hydrant. The flames were first reported at around 5:40 a.m. in the neighborhood before escalating.
According to the FDNY, its crew had to work around the parked vehicles just to reach and access the hydrant. That obstruction slowed the department's ability to get water onto the flames during the critical early stage of the fire, when a fast water supply is most important.
Two firefighters were injured while battling the blaze, and two civilians were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Officials said none of the injuries were described as serious as crews continued to work at the scene.
An FDNY chief used the incident to deliver a blunt public-safety message, reminding drivers not to park in front of fire hydrants. He warned that doing so is dangerous, saying it puts both firefighters and the residents of a burning building at risk when every second counts.
The chief said the two cars that had been blocking the hydrant would be towed and that their owners would receive summonses. The department framed the enforcement as a direct consequence of parking that had interfered with the emergency response.
The American Red Cross was also on scene, working to assist families who had been affected by the fire. As of the report, officials had not yet confirmed how many families had been displaced by the blaze.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation. Authorities said they would provide further updates on the displacement figures and the origin of the blaze as their work at the Norwood scene continued.