Bronx: Revealing photos of a car blocking a fire hydrant during a fire at a Thai temple in the Bronx have been shared by the New York City Fire Department. The incident, which occurred early yesterday, resulted in delays in extinguishing the fire.
According to Thai News Agency, FDNY Fire Department Chief Robert S. Tucker expressed his condolences on the X platform regarding the fire at Wat Usaputtharam. He thanked the Red Cross and emergency services for their assistance. Chief Tucker also highlighted the issue of a vehicle blocking a fire hydrant, emphasizing that this was the second occurrence in three days. The blockage was across from the burning building, causing precious seconds to be wasted. The fire, which started around 6:00 a.m., escalated from a level 2 to a level 3 warning, involving more than 40 units and 150 officers. Despite the efforts, two people tragically lost their lives. The problem of cars blocking hydrants has been a recurring issue.
Further investigation revealed that the fire was accidentally caused by a portable heater coming into contact with flammable materials. FDNY stressed the importance of keeping such devices at least 3 feet away from flammable items like blankets and curtains.