Tyrone Corley, Brooklyn DJ, Dies in Brownstone Fire

Photo via Fat Traxx Radio NYC

UPDATE, Thursday: Police have ruled Corley’s death a homicide.

Bed-Stuy resident and radio deejay Tyrone Corley, 56, died late Tuesday night when a fire tore through his apartment on the third floor of 103 Hancock Street, according to police.

Three other building residents — one man and two women — were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, but were expected to survive.

The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) rushed to the burning building, located on the historic stretch of Hancock between Nostrand and Bedford avenues, around 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday night. As 65 firefighters tried to dampen the blaze, four civilians were pulled from the burning brownstone — but it was too late for Corley, who died soon after at Kings County Hospital in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens.

Neighbors said they watched firefighters carry the victims away on stretchers.

By Wednesday morning, Corley’s family and friends were posting messages of remembrance on Facebook.

“Today I woke up to the sad news that good friend of mine has passed away,” Mari Oliver wrote. “And just to think we always had lunch together everyday and yesterday was the last day I seen him alive. Im going too miss you Tyrone Corley may you continue to play your beautiful music in heaven.”

Beneath Oliver’s post, one commenter wrote: “I called him Mr. Wonderful.” Another wrote: “Rip the nicest guy.”

Jaye Carla Greene, who told Patch she is Corley’s cousin, said she and the rest of the extended family “adored this sweet soul.”

“He was an amazing human being,” Greene said.

Corley played a three-hour set each Monday night called “Keep It Soulful” on Fat Traxx Radio NYC, an online radio station. He played his last set on Monday, Oct. 19, one night before he died.

The victim also listed himself on Facebook as an intensive case manager for the Puerto Rican Family Institute. Patch has contacted the institute for more information on his involvement.

As of late Wednesday morning, the cause of the fire that killed Corely is still a mystery, according to a spokesman for the FDNY.

Did you know Tyrone Corley? Do you have any memories you’d like to share? Reach out: simone.wilson@patch.com.