The fire claimed the life of 64-year-old Mary Feagin, who lived on the top floor of the apartment building.
It was later discovered that Engine 248 was already treating a police officer who accidentally shot himself in the leg when it was sent to the fire.
The delay lasted for more than a minute before dispatchers realized the mistake and sent another engine to the fire on East 29th Street, department spokesman James Long told the newspaper.
FDNY protocol requires two engines to run a hose at a fire.
While the first-due engine arrived at the scene 2 minutes and 13 seconds after the call was made at 6:51 p.m., the second engine didn't arrive until 6 minutes and 53 seconds after the call.
Long said a combination of factors contributed to how fast the fire spread -- including high winds and a door left open at the involved apartment -- but that the error did delay getting water on the fire.
"It's being reviewed by the department," Long added. "What we do know so far is that the second due engine that was assigned was already operating at a precinct job. It took some time, over a minute, for that to be determined."
The department is working to determine whether the fire department dispatcher made the error or if Engine Company 248 didn't communicate its location or if it was a computer glitch.
