NEW YORK, NY – New York City fire marshals said the cause of this week’s fatal 4-alarm fire which occurred at 2194 Valentine Avenue in the Bronx was accidentally caused by the careless discard of smoking materials.
Firefighters also reported smoke alarms were present but not operational. 73-year-old Betty Lee died in the blaze.
The department issued a warning, saying smokers are seven times more likely than nonsmokers to be fire victims.
“This morning at approximately 9:05 FDNY Bronx Fire Dispatchers received a call for a fire at 2194 Valentine Avenue. Units arrived within four minutes and found a heavy volume of fire in the rear of the occupant,” the NYFD said in a statement. “A wind condition contributed to the spread of fire to adjoining structures. The fire quickly escalated to a fourth alarm bringing approximately 75 FDNY units to the scene. We have six civilian injuries which include one person who was found deceased, and three minor injuries to Firefighters.”