BX blaze leaves 2 apartment buildings destroyed

Firefighters say frigid temperatures made it difficult to put out an apartment fire on East 213 Street Tuesday morning. The fire broke out on the second floor of 9-29 East 213 St. and quickly spread

News 12 Staff

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Jan 21, 2009, 12:12 AM

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Updated 5,813 days ago

Firefighters say frigid temperatures made it difficult to put out an apartment fire on East 213 Street Tuesday morning.

The fire broke out on the second floor of 9-29 East 213 St. and quickly spread to the houses next door. Firefighters say frozen hydrants made it difficult to get water on the blaze.

?We were able to contain the fire to two buildings, 9-29 and 9-27, they both suffered extensive damage,? says the Bronx borough commander chief.

Officials say one of the tenants of the apartment is in Washington, D.C. celebrating the inauguration of Barack Obama, and has no idea what she is coming home to.

?I just don?t know how to explain this to my mom; she went down to the inauguration. She doesn?t know yet. This is supposed to be a joyous occasion, you know,? says Francis Jackson.

The tenants of the buildings reportedly got out safely. Fire officials say one firefighter suffered second-degree burns and was taken to the hospital.

The Red Cross says it will provide temporary housing for the families displaced by the fire.