Child killed, 2 others in critical condition after Bronx apartment fire in Fordham

A 1-year-old boy died and two other children were in critical condition Monday evening after a fire tore through a Bronx apartment building, injuring eight people in total, authorities said.

The blaze broke out shortly after 3:30 p.m. on the second floor of 2609 Bainbridge Ave., according to FDNY officials. Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire coming from a second-floor apartment and extending into the hallway and stairwell, officials said.

Twenty units and about 80 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the all-hands fire.

Firefighters searching the apartment found three children unconscious and removed them from the building, FDNY Chief of Special Operations Malcolm Moore said at an evening press briefing.

The fire also spread up the stairwell and through the bulkhead, trapping residents on upper floors and prompting roof rescue operations, he said.

Officials said the 1-year-old and two 6-year-old twins, a boy and a girl, were pulled unconscious from a burning apartment. The twins remained in critical condition Tuesday morning, authorities said.

Police identified the 1-year-old boy as Liam Parks, saying he lived in the building. They said he was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Two adults were also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and another person refused medical attention at the scene, according to FDNY officials.

Three firefighters were taken to area hospitals with minor injuries.

The building sustained heavy damage in the hallway and fire apartment, though officials said most of the building remained intact and large-scale displacement was not expected.

Moore said the apartment door appeared to have been left open as residents fled, allowing smoke and flames to spread into the hallway and stairwell.

He urged New Yorkers to close apartment doors when escaping fires, saying the step can slow the spread of smoke and flames and give residents more time to escape.

Fire marshals are investigating the cause and origin of the blaze.

The building's owner, Prana Investments, said in a statement that it was saddened by the incident and will cooperate fully with the investigation.

Brittany Kriegstein contributed reporting. This story is based on preliminary information from public safety officials and has been updated with additional details.