Two Killed in Fatal Fire at Buddhist Temple, Car Blocked Hydrant

Space Heater Eyed in Cause of Fatal Fire

Fire rises from a private home on Anthony Avenue that housed a Buddhist temple, two people were killed in the blaze. -Photo courtesy of the FDNY

By David Greene 

Bronx Voice 

February 13, 2025 

BRONX - Two people were killed after a fire engulfed a Buddhist temple. Fire officials say their rescue efforts were hampered by a car parked in front of a fire hydrant. Investigators say the fire was caused by a space heater.

Fire officials say the deadly blaze broke out inside a private home that housed the USA Buddhayaram Temple, located at 2086 Anthony Avenue, between East Burnside Avenue and East 180 Street at 6 a.m. on February 12. The fire quickly spread and at 6:14 a.m. the fire was deemed a third alarm.

Fire officials say rescue efforts were delayed as an automobile was parked blocking the fire hydrant closest to the burning home. -Photo courtesy of the FDNY

At a press conference at the scene and posted to X, John Esposito, the FDNY’s Chief of Department said, “We arrived right at four minutes to find heavy fire in two buildings.” Esposito said that the third alarm response brought 40 fire and EMS units to the blaze as well as 150 fire and EMS personnel.

Esposito continued, “We had fire throughout the two buildings and unfortunately, we did have two fatalities recovered from the original fire building.” 

Esposito added that the FDNY’s Bureau of Fire Investigation and Bureau of Fire Prevention were on scene investigating the cause of the fire as well as if there were any violations in the two private homes that were destroyed.

EMS Chief Mark Bonilla told reporters, “We had two victims from this fire. One was deceased at the scene. The second one was removed via EMS, provided resuscitative care and transported to the local hospital, where we later found out that the victim was pronounced at the hospital.” He added that no other injuries were reported.

Asked about a vehicle that was blocking the fire hydrant closest to the fire building, Chief Esposito replied, “So, we did, unfortunately have a car parked on the closest fire hydrant, we’ve seen that now a couple of times in the last week or so throughout the city, but yes, there was a car blocking our fire hydrant.”

Fire officials stand outside of the Buddhist temple that was destroyed on February 12. -Photo courtesy of the FDNY

Esposito added, “The cold weather slows us down a little bit, but this was a very dangerous operation for our firefighters. We’re not sure yet the gender or identity of the victims at the fire and when the hydrants are blocked it does make it more difficult. It does slow us down.”

He concluded, “Our firefighters are very well trained, but clearly if those hydrants were not blocked, it’s a little bit of a smoother, quicker operation for us. We all know we should not be parking on fire hydrants.

The Bronx Voice has asked the FDNY about the number of people displaced by the fire as well as information on a recent fatal fire in Brooklyn where a car was also blocking the closest fire hydrant, but they have not yet responded to our request.

According to published reports the Brooklyn fire broke out at 510 80^th Street on February 9, the fire killed Navy veteran Gregory Fernandez, 37. Fernandez’ wife and two-year-old son were also injured.

At 3:21 p.m. the FDNY posted on X, “Per FDNY Fire Marshals, the fatal 3-alarm fire on February 12 at 2086 Anthony Avenue in (the) Bronx was accidental, caused by a space heater that came in contact with combustible materials.”

FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker would later post to X, “For the second time in three days, FDNY members encountered a blocked hydrant, and this one was directly across from the fire building. Precious seconds are wasted when cars are illegally parked in front of fire hydrants, in a situation where every second matters. It is shameful that people would put their convenience over public safety.”