An inferno tore through a Buddhist temple complex in the Bronx early Wednesday morning, killing a monk and a visitor as Big Apple firefighters struggled to access a fire hydrant for the second time in a week.
The deadly fire erupted around 6 a.m. after a space heater came in contact with combustible material inside one of two buildings used by the USA Buddhayaram Temple on Anthony Avenue, according to the FDNY.
More than 150 firefighters and EMS workers rushed to the scene where two victims were stranded on the second floor of a home next to the temple, officials said.
Tragically, one of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene and the second died at the hospital.
It was not clear how many residents were displaced by the fire.
“It’s a disaster right now – the temple, but I was so shocked but I will try the best, all the Thai community will come to help, all around the world – whatever they can help,” said temple treasurer Mayuree Sriphirom outside the temple, according to ABC 7.
She said the two victims were an older monk facing health issues and a visitor.
The rescue effort was complicated because the city’s Bravest had to contend with a car blocking the closest fire hydrant across the street from the temple.
“Certainly if those hydrants were not blocked, it’s a little bit of a smoother, quicker operation,” said FDNY Chief John Esposito during a press briefing from the scene. “And seconds count when we’re fighting fire and that slows us down.”
Reporters caught up with the driver of the car who appeared to excuse the illegal park job and showed little remorse.
“We’re not supposed to do it, but where else am I gonna park,” the unidentified driver whined, according to ABC 7. “You can’t double park in these streets, these streets are small.”
She said a boot was already on her car from parking there for a few days and she was unable to get it taken off before the fire started, according to Fox 5 NY.
“I mean I don’t feel responsible, I didn’t start the fire and they put the hose over the car so they did what they had to do. It’s not my fault,” said the driver.
“But I can take responsibility for parking at a hydrant. Yeah, I’m not supposed to do that, but what else am I supposed to do.”
FDNY personnel also dealt with another pair of parked cars in front of hydrants that hampered their response to a fire at a Brooklyn apartment early Sunday.
A 37-year-old man was killed in that blaze with a woman and a child suffering injuries.
