Man Killed, 2 Injured In Upper East Side Building Fire

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — An elderly man died and another is in critical condition following a fire that broke out Wednesday morning in a residential building on Second Avenue near East 82nd Street, authorities said.

The fire was first reported around 8:27 a.m. at 1576 Second Ave., a four-story building on the corner of East 82nd Street that houses Fresh Bites & Juice Bar on the ground floor.

The first firetruck arrived within four minutes, confronted by "a heavy fire condition on the second floor," FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief Michael Ajello told reporters.

The two victims, an 83-year-old man and an 81-year-old man, lived on different floors of the building and were quickly found by firefighters, authorities said. Both were taken to Lenox Hill Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The older man died later Wednesday, while the 81-year-old man remained in critical condition, according to police. The deceased man's name is being withheld pending family notification.

The fire was escalated to a third alarm at 9:16 a.m, with more than 130 firefighters working to contain it. It was finally brought under control after an hour and a half.

Ajello alluded to at least one of the homes being cluttered, saying the firefighting operation had been impeded by "a large amount of contents in the apartments, which hinders our fire advance and our searches."

Residents in all six of the building's apartments have been evacuated, Ajello said. A firefighter was also hospitalized with minor injuries.

Footage from the scene showed flames shooting out of the building's second-story windows and smoke billowing into the neighborhood as firetrucks blocked the street.

Second Avenue was closed to traffic between East 82nd and 83rd streets, according to police, who advised people to avoid the area.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the FDNY fire marshal.

This is a breaking news story. Refresh for updates.

ADVISORY: Due to a Multiple Dwelling fire at 1576 2 Avenue, 2nd Avenue from East 82nd Street to East 83rd Street on the Upper East Side is CLOSED to traffic.

Please avoid the area, @FDNY & emergency personnel are on scene. pic.twitter.com/HEHdr4v7DE
— NYPD 19th Precinct (@NYPD19Pct) April 21, 2021

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