A 77-year-old woman has died following a morning explosion, fire and building collapse at a home in the Longwood section of the Bronx.

 

On Tuesday, Jan. 18, at approximately 10.54 a.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding a residential fire at 869 Fox Avenue. Upon arrival police discovered three injured victims.

 

An 82-year-old woman and a 68-year-old woman were removed to Jacobi Hospital, both in stable condition. A third victim, a 77-year-old woman, was also transported to Jacobi Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.

 

Five police officers were also taken to area hospitals in stable condition. The investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing, but there were reports by at least one resident of a loud explosion and a bodycam video, apparently from an NYPD police officer, shows NYPD responding to an apparent collapsed building.

 

The deceased has been identified as Martha Dagbasta, 77, of 869 Fox Street in The Bronx.

 

City workers appeared to be checking the gas lines under the street in the area close to the collapsed building in a sealed off area at around noon on the day of the incident.

 

Several fire and emergency trucks were witnessed in the area along Intervale Avenue and on other nearby streets.

 

When @NYPD41pct officers arrived at the massive explosion at a Bronx home, they saw flames spreading to the adjoining home rocked by the explosion. Knowing there was a person inside, they ran in. They found a woman trapped in the debris. Our prayers are with those affected. pic.twitter.com/UfQWeYT9qo

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 18, 2022

 

There was still a smell of smoke in the air at around noon, and though the FDNY categorized the fire as a 2-alarm fire, and though there were no visible flames to be seen (at least from a distance) by that time, the situation was not confirmed as being under control by the FDNY until approximately 4 p.m.

 

FDNY officials confirmed later that they were on site within 4 minutes of being alerted, and that about 200 personnel were deployed to respond. Residents who were evacuated were brought to a nearby church which had opened its doors to temporarily take people in and offer assistance, before they were housed elsewhere.

 

 

Local State Assembly Member Kenny Burgos (A.D. 85) issued the following statement on Tuesday evening in response to the incident. “This morning, a residential gas explosion occurred on Fox Street in the Longwood section of my Bronx district,” he said. “So far, eight people are injured, and sadly, one succumbed to her injuries. My deepest condolences go out to the victim’s loved ones, and those affected are in my thoughts.”

 

Burgos added, “Additionally, I extend my greatest appreciation to our first responders, including the FDNY and NYPD who rushed to the scene and risked their lives. I will continue to work in conjunction with the Mayor’s office and my fellow officials in the area and ensure that our constituents have the necessary resources during this difficult time.”

 

 

The investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing. Norwood News spoke to some residents who said they heard a loud explosion similar to a bomb.

 

It was later confirmed by City officials that Con Ed were also at the scene, assisting with the investigation.

 

Several fire and emergency trucks were witnessed in the area along Intervale Avenue and on other nearby streets.

 

FDNY officials confirmed later that day that they were on site within 4 minutes of being alerted, and that about 200 personnel were deployed to respond to the incident.

 

We spoke to some residents in the area around 869 Fox Avenue in Longwood following the explosion. One Spanish-speaking, pregnant woman, who preferred not to disclose her name said she was alone in her home when she heard the explosion and became worried and frightened. She called her sister-in-law and eventually made her way to her sister-in-law’s house in order not to be alone.

@FDNY @FDNYAlerts courtesy of FDNY personnel Nicholas Jacobsson fox street fire 🔥 another deadly day smh @NYCEMSwatch @NYCMayorsOffice @nycgov @UEPI2507 pic.twitter.com/eiY8ztpbFa

— Rodney Maldonado (@RodneyMaldona16) January 18, 2022

 

Other witnesses said the air was musty for a few minutes after the explosion and that it was difficult to see the street below. Yet another witness said that the vibration of the explosion was felt at a building on an adjacent street to the one where the explosion happened.

 

At a press conference at the site of the explosion, Mayor Eric Adams thanked the emergency services and said that the City must not wait for disasters to happen in order to be ready, but must always be ready to react to crises. He paid tribute to, and thanked the police officers and all those who responded to the incident.

 

Bronx 2-Alarm Box 2335, 869 FOX ST, PRIVATE DWELLING, ALL FLOORS, Under Control

— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) January 18, 2022

 

He also confirmed that gas had been turned off on the entire block in the immediate aftermath of the explosion but added that it was important that the many local seniors living in the area were given access to gas, once again, as soon as possible.

 

District 17 City Council Rafael Salamanca Jr. who represents the area, also paid tribute to the first responders who he said risked their lives to save some of the victims. “I thank you for really taking care of us in the South Bronx,” he said in part.

 

Bronx 2-Alarm Box 2335, 869 FOX ST, PRIVATE DWELLING, ALL FLOORS, Under Control

— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) January 18, 2022

The FDNY confirmed that firefighters who arrived at the scene entered the buildings which had not collapsed to search for and rescue any victims. They said they removed two victims and the police had removed one. They added that the cause of the incident was still under investigation.

 

During his remarks at the site of the explosion, and referring to the multitude of crisis incidents that had occurred in recent weeks across the City, Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin said, “You’ve sure had a busy time, Mr. Mayor.”

 

Bronx All Hands Box 3658, 815 E 221 ST, PRIVATE DWELLING, 1 FLR, Under Control

— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) January 18, 2022

 

EMS representative, Christine Farrell, said the victims had been given food and water, and that emergency housing was being arranged in local hotels. She said teams were also looking for any pets that may have been left in nearby evacuated buildings.

 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson also paid tribute to the first responders and residents, saying, “We want to lift up those families who are impacted by this fire. We want to lift up our men and women of the NYPD and FDNY, who are in hospital.” She added,  “We are all in this together and through our pain, we will continue to find purpose.”

 

Bronx All Hands Box 3658, 815 E 221 ST, PRIVATE DWELLING

— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) January 18, 2022

Another fire was also reported earlier on Tuesday morning at around 12.54 a.m. on the first floor of a private home at 815 E 221st Street in Williamsbridge, which was brought under control at around 1.19 a.m.

 

LIVE IN THE BRONX: @NYCMayor and @FDNY leadership provide updates on the 2-alarm fire at 869 Fox Street. https://t.co/QQcDJAbsGu

— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) January 18, 2022

 

Norwood News has reached out to the FDNY a few times for an update on the cause of the fire/collapse and on March 12, we were informed that the incident was still under investigation.

 

NYC Emergency Management remains on scene with the @FDNY and other City agencies at the site of a 2-alarm explosion at 67 Bay 35 Street in Brooklyn. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/jiZhbxpGsv

— NYC Emergency Management (@nycemergencymgt) February 4, 2022

 

On Friday, Feb. 4, NYC Department of Emergency Management issued a warning to locals in Brooklyn following a 2-alarm explosion at 67 35th Street in Brooklyn at a domestic residence. There were no reported injuries.