Homeless Man Starts Fire at Fordham Checking Business - Cops Say

Homeless FireBug

An NYPD patrol car sits outside of the CFSC Check Cash at East Fordham Road and Lorillard Avenue hours after a fire broke out in a trash container.-Photo by David Greene

By David Greene 

Bronx Voice 

October 27, 2024

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BRONX - A homeless man seeking shelter at a 24-hour check cashing business on East Fordham Road, started a fire in a trash bin, cops said. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze. At this time, it is not known if it was accidental or intentional.

The NYPD directed inquiries on the matter to the FDNY, while the FDNY did confirm they responded to a call of a “rubbish fire” at the CFSC Check Cash business at 544 East Fordham Road at 5:05 a.m. on Sunday, October 20.

According to an unnamed FDNY official, the fire which was contained to the trash bin, was brought under control and the “incident closed” at 5:46 a.m., there were no injuries and apparently no arson investigation is underway.

A woman behind the counter at CFSC stated that the man was homeless and often sought shelter inside the 24-hour business.

The woman said that the homeless man was smoking a cigarette and had asked her for money before the fire began.

Asked if the man would come back tomorrow, she replied, “We’ll call the police.”