Two men were pronounced dead following an apartment building fire in Bath Beach on Sunday evening, according to the FDNY.
Firefighters responded just after 6:50 p.m. on March 17 to find heavy fire and smoke venting from the second floor of the four story building at 159 Bay 29th St.
Units consisting of 60 firefighters used three hose lines to knock down the main body of fire in a second floor apartment. Firefighters opened up the walls and ceilings of the fire apartment and three other apartments and found fire on the third floor.
Two male residents of the building were found unconscious and unresponsive on the second floor of the building, according to the NYPD. Responding EMS pronounced the two men deceased at the scene.
The New York Post reported Monday that one of the men was allegedly found with a stab wound to the neck while the other man had suffered severe head trauma. The NYPD did not substantiate the claims when asked by Brooklyn Paper, stating that their cause of death is pending a post-mortem examination by the Medical Examiner.
Two FDNY personnel were also treated at the scene of the fire for minor injuries.
Resident Kervis Jasim, who had just moved into the building on Sunday, told Brooklyn Paper that he was lying on the couch when he smelled smoke.
“I couldn’t imagine I’d see a person on fire,” said Jasmin. “We just had enough time to grab our cats.”
The fire was placed under control at 7:50 p.m. but several units remained on the scene for sometime overhauling the apartments and removing debris.
The FDNY Fire Marshals Office is leading the investigation into the cause and origin of the fire.
The fire department also requested that the Department of Buildings carry out a structural stability inspection following the fire, per DOB records. A partial vacate order was also issued on the building due to the extensive damage.
Of the residents displaced by Sunday’s fire, the Red Cross is currently providing emergency assistance, which includes financial aid and temporary lodging, to four adults and two children.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with the community after this tragic fire on Bay 29th Street in Brooklyn,” a spokespersons for the American Red Cross said. “Any residents of the building who did not connect with the Red Cross on scene should call 877-RedCross.”
