Faulty Electric Investigated as Cause of Fatal Bronx Fire

‘Electrical Malfunction’ Cause of Blaze that Killed 4 in Bronx? 

Ten-month-old Barah Saleh was killed in the fire on Quimby Avenue. -Facebook Photo

By Dan Gesslein 

Bronx Voice 

October 31, 2022 

BRONX - Faulty wiring is being looked at as the probable cause of a Bronx house fire which killed four people including children. 

The NY Post is reporting that fire investigators are looking at faulty electrical wiring as the cause of the fatal fire in Castle Hill. The paper quotes investigators who claim a melted computer was still plugged into the wall in the very room where the fire is believed to have originated. 

The official cause has not been given as fire officials continue to investigate the blaze that killed three children and a father. The Post quotes an investigator who said preliminary findings point to an “electrical malfunction.” 

(Left) Kalheed Waleed Ben Saleh, 10; Ahmed Saleh, 22, and Mohamed Waleed Ahmed, 12, died in a house fire on Quimby Avenue.

The FDNY says the smoke detectors in the home were working. 

The property on Quimby Avenue had no prior violations. However an illegally converted apartment was discovered in the basement. Officials say the fire did not originate in the basement. 

Killed in the fire was 22-year-Ahmed Saleh and his 10-month-old daughter Barah. Ahmed’s young brothers Mohamed Waleed Ahmed, 12, and Kalheed Waleed Ben Saleh, 10, also died from injuries as a result of the fire.

“Today is a sad day for our Castle Hill community as we learned of an early morning two-alarm residential fire that has left us in mourning. We are heartbroken at the loss of lives, including children and those residents who are in the hospital with serious injuries. Our office has been on the scene this morning with local elected officials and will work closely to help support all impacted families,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. 

“Sadly, we are reminded of the horrific residential fires in our borough that have taken too many lives and have left us collectively traumatized. We are, however, grateful for the swift response of our first responders, the FDNY, NYPD, Emergency Management, and the Department of Buildings,” Gibson said. “As the investigation is underway into the cause of this fire, we ask all Bronxites to join us in praying for our neighbors. We lift our families up and pray for healing and strength.”