The fire in the borough of Brooklyn that killed a third firefighter hours later Sunday may have been caused by combustible materials near an electric space heater, according to preliminary findings by fire marshals.
Lt. Curtis Meyran, 46, and Firefighter John Bellew, 37, died Sunday after jumping from the burning building in the Bronx. Richard Sclafani, 37, died at a hospital after being severely injured in the Brooklyn fire.
Meyran and Bellew were among six firefighters trapped while searching for people inside the building in the Bronx. All six men leaped from the fourth floor.
The four who survived remained in critical condition on Monday, the fire department said.
With the three deaths, Sunday was the deadliest day the department has seen since the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center killed 343 firefighters.
Fire department investigators will look into whether there were illegal alterations in the Bronx building that may have prevented firefighters from reaching the fire escape. The department said it also planned to continue to investigate what caused a loss of water in one of the fire hoses.
Full Coverage
- Tapes Reveal the Instant Bronx Blaze Turned Deadly
- Three FDNY Bravest Lost in Blazes in Brooklyn and Bronx
- Tragic Bond of New York Brothers
- Water Pressure Fails: The Routine Turns Deadly
- Stunned Words of Grief in Firehouses
- Three Firefighters Dead, Four Critical in Bronx, Brooklyn Blazes
- Two Firefighters Killed Battling Apartment Blaze In The Bronx
- FDNY Bravest Dies Battling Bronx Blaze
- Two FDNY Bravest Die Battling Bronx Blaze
- Recent Multi-Fatality Line of Duty Death Incidents
Official FDNY Releases & Briefs
- Viewing & Funeral Arrangements for FDNY Bravest Lost
- FDNY Outlines Briefing on Review Process of Deadly Fires
- Brooklyn Fire & LODD Release
- Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta Announce the Death of Fire Lieutenant Curtis W. Meyran and Firefighter John G. Bellew
The Tragedy in Photos
Related Links