FDNY: a car blocking a fire hydrant delayed their response to a fatal Bronx fire

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A tragic early morning fire at a Buddhist temple in the Bronx, sparked by a space heater, claimed the lives of two people, officials reported, ABC News 7 informs.
 

The fire erupted just after 6 a.m. inside a building on Anthony Avenue in the Tremont section. Firefighters encountered delays in battling the blaze due to a car blocking a nearby hydrant.
 

"We did, unfortunately, have a car parked on the closest fire hydrant," FDNY Chief John Esposito said. "We've seen this happen multiple times across the city recently. Seconds count when fighting a fire, and this slows us down."
 

The vehicle’s owner said it had been booted on Tuesday, leaving her with limited parking options.
 

"We’re not supposed to do it, but where else am I going to park? These streets are small, and you can’t double park," she explained.
 

This incident marks the second time in recent days that a car blocking a hydrant has hindered firefighters during a fatal blaze. A similar issue occurred early Sunday in Brooklyn.
 

In Wednesday’s fire, two bodies were recovered from the second floor of the rectory, which housed monks next to the temple. According to temple treasurer Mayuree Sriphirom, the victims were a monk and a visitor.
 

"It's a disaster right now, but the Thai community will come together to help, from all around the world," Sriphirom said.
 

One of the victims, an elderly monk, had been dealing with health issues.
 

Fire marshals determined that the space heater, placed too close to combustible materials, caused the fire.
 

The temple, recognized as the first Buddhist temple in the Bronx, holds deep significance for the community, which is now committed to rebuilding.



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