Inferno tore apart the Bronx Buddhist temple complex early Wednesday morning, killing monks and visitors as Big Apple firefighters struggled to access the second fire hydrant in a week.
A fatal fire erupted around 6am after a space heater inside one of two buildings used by the US Buddhayalam Temple on Anthony Avenue made contact with the space heater, according to FDNY.
More than 150 firefighters and EMS workers rushed to the scene where two victims were stuck on the second floor of the house next to the temple, officials said.
Tragically, one of the victims was declared dead at the scene, and the second one died in the hospital.
It was not clear how many residents were forced into the fire.
“It's a disaster right now – the temple, but I was very shocked, but I will do my best, all Thai communities will come to help all around the world – what they can help Anything” According to ABC 7.
She said the two victims were older monks facing health issues and visitors.
The rescue efforts were complicated as the city's bravery had to fight against the cars blocking the nearest fire hydrant across the street from the temple.
“It's certainly a bit smoother and faster operation if these hydrants aren't blocked,” FDNY chief John Esposito said at a press conference from the scene. “And then a few seconds counts as we're fighting the fire, which slows us down.”
Reporters caught up with the car driver who appeared to make excuses for illegal park work and showed little regret.
“We're not supposed to do that, but where else are we going to park,” the unidentified driver cried out, according to ABC 7.
She said the boots had already been in the car from the parking lot for several days and couldn't let it go before the fire began, According to Fox 5 NY.
“I don't feel responsible, I didn't start a fire and they put a hose on the car, so they did what they had to do. That's not my fault,” the driver said. I said that.
“But I can take responsibility for parking at the fire hydrant. Yeah, I'm not supposed to do that, but what else should I do?”
FDNY officials also handled another parked car in front of a fire hydrant that prevented it from responding to a fire in a Brooklyn apartment early Sunday.
The 37-year-old man was killed in the flames with a woman and an injured child.
