FDNY: Fire Erupts In Illegally Converted Garage Killing 1, Injuring 2
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- One person is dead and two others injured in an overnight fire at an illegally converted garage in the Bronx.
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The fire broke out on Bronxwood Avenue around 12:40 a.m. Tuesday. Officials say the fire started in a garage which then spread to a home.
The FDNY says the garage had been illegally converted into a residence with a kitchen, a bathroom, multiple bedrooms and a dining room.
"These conversions are coming about and they don't comply with the strict laws and codes that the buildings department and the fire department have," said Deputy Fire Chief Ron Werner.
There were three people inside at the time of the fire.
Officials say two people were taken to the hospital, a 51-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man who suffered burns to his arms and back.
The third person, a 71-year-old man, was also taken to the hospital where he later died.
Werner said there was only one non-working smoke detector inside the garage and that there was only one exit.
Officials say the illegally converted garage was first discovered back in 2007. The owner received numerous violations and was told to vacate the garage and was notified again in 2008.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
