Massive Bronx Explosion Leaves Chaos in Its Wake

A Bronx apartment building erupted in flames after a massive explosion Wednesday afternoon — with two people injured in the five-alarm blaze, the FDNY said.

The blast rocked the third floor of the five-story apartment building at 374 E 209th Street around 12:30 p.m., the FDNY said.

Officials said a blaze quickly broke out on the second and third floors of the building, and rapidly grew in little over an hour.

A fire engulfs multiple floors of a brick building, with smoke billowing out and a fire truck ladder extended towards the upper floors. — The scene of a five-alarm fire at 374 E. 209th St. in The Bronx on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Peter Gerber

Firefighters respond to a four-alarm fire at 374 E. 209th St. in the Bronx, with flames and thick smoke pouring from the building. — At least two people were critically injured in the blaze. Peter Gerber

Some 270 firefighters responded to the scene, according to the department.

Two people were critically injured, with three others injured but in stable condition, according to authorities.

“We just heard the explosion,” Lisa Landin said, who was commuting home from the bus when she heard the “crazy” explosion. “It sounded like a bomb went off.”

A grief-stricken woman who said her pets were stuck in the building when the explosion went off was just around the corner when the blast happened.

Firefighters on the roof of a five-story apartment building with smoke billowing out of the windows and roof. — An explosion occurred in the third floor of the building around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon. James Keivom for NY Post

Firefighters extinguish a fire in an apartment building in the Bronx. — FDNY firefighters spraying water at a window in the E 209th Street building. James Keivom for NY Post

Firefighters on a building's fire escape and roof work at the scene of a three-alarm fire. — Firefighters seen on the roof of the building and descending the fire escape. James Keivom for NY Post

“I was right around the corner. I saw the whole thing blow up in flames,” the tenant said.

“I didn’t know it was my building until one person ran to me and told me to get my dogs,” the grief-stricken woman recounted just outside the building.

“By the time I got here, they were already stopping people from coming in.”

A witness crying and yelling at the scene of a four-alarm fire. — A resident, whose pets were stuck in the building, reacting to the Bronx fire. Peter Gerber

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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Massive Bronx Explosion Leaves Chaos in Its Wake