Jan. 29--THE BRONX, N.Y. -- Fire officials want to know what sparked a fast-moving fire in Edenwald early Sunday morning that killed the landlord of a three-family home.
Police identify the victim as Al "Junior Allen, a 60-something, Army veteran; he died at Montefiore North Hospital. His 27-year-old daughter is being treated at Jacobi Hospital, doctors listing her in critical condition.
Authorities say the fire broke out around 5:15 in Allen's basement apartment at 1120 E. 225 St. and was difficult to contain. Firefighters finally got things under control an hour-and-half later. Three of them sustained minor injuries.
According to a report in the Sunday Daily News, Allen was well-regarded in the neighborhood. People say he was deeply involved with his church, where he provided kids with toys and volunteered in the food pantry.
In addition to serving as a superintendent for his own home, neighbors say he'd work on houses in the block, where he was often seen sitting outside listening to old-school soul music.
Meanwhile, one avenue investigators are reportedly following are city records that reveal $850 in fines for work done -- sans permit -- that illegally turned the basement into an apartment. Also, there's an open report dating back to October 2011, concerning the illegal conversion of a living room.
Copyright 2012 - WPIX-TV, New York
