Explosion Rocks Norwood Apartment Building, Killing One and Injuring Firefighters

Norwood Building Engulfed in Flames

1 Dead, 15 Injured After Explosion

Firefighters battled a blaze at 374 East 209 Street for over three hours on Wednesday, August 5. -Photo by David Greene

By David Greene

Bronx Voice

August 6, 2026

BRONX, NY - Fire officials say an explosion on the second floor of a five-story building in Norwood has killed one person and injured 15 others, including 6 firefighters. Two civilians remain hospitalized with serious injuries.

According to FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore firefighters were called to a 5-story building at 374 East 209 Street, between Decatur Avenue and Parkside Place at 12:26 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6. At a press conference held as firefighters were still battling the flames and grey smoke, Bonsignore said, "This afternoon Bronx dispatch received a call for reports of an explosion."

With first fire units arriving on the scene within three minutes of the initial call, Commissioner Bonsignore said of those units, "They found a heavy fire load and fire blowing out many, many windows." 

Fire pushes out of a 4th floor window as smoke billows out of a five story window at 374 East 209 Street after a 5-alarm fire broke out on Wednesday, August 5. -Photo by David Greene

The fire quickly engulfed a major portion of the building and firefighters pulled out of the building after an interior collapse in one of the apartments. The fire spread to five-alarms, with over 300 FDNY and EMS personnel called to the scene.

FDNY's Chief of Department John Esposito said, "As the commissioner said, there was some sort of explosion, it blew out window frames, it blew some of them across the street." He added, "When our members got up to the second floor, some of the apartment doors had been blown off the hinges." 

Espositio added that the fire had spread to three floors and there was a partial collapse of one third-floor apartment into the second floor.

According to EMS Deputy Chief Stacy Scanlon, the building had 27 apartments and so far the Red Cross is assisting 18 individuals with temporary housing.

One reporter asked Bonsignore about a claim that there had been a gas smell in the area for the past month, she replied, "I'm unaware at this moment." The FDNY continues to investigate the cause of the blaze.

Bonsignore added that a local school has been opened as a "reception center" for displaced residents. Any displaced residents are urged to call the Red Cross at 1 (800) RED-CROSS.