A blaze on Bainbridge Avenue in Fordham erupted at 3:30 p.m., tearing through a second‑floor apartment in a five‑story building. Firefighters found flames pouring out and struggled to breach the front door because the staircase was engulfed. Neighbors reported the mother sprinting out with one child while shouting that three children remained inside.

The mother managed to escape, but the boy was pronounced dead at St. Barnabas Hospital, where the 6‑year‑old twins received oxygen. Three other residents suffered injuries, one serious, and three firefighters sustained minor wounds. The incident follows a string of Bronx fires, including last month’s blaze that killed three people.

Fire officials attribute the rapid spread to doors left open as people fled, a pattern seen in recent tragedies. Chief Malcolm Moore urged residents to close doors during emergencies to prevent fires from leaping through hallways. The cause remains under investigation, but the event underscores the need for stricter fire‑safety protocols in densely populated neighborhoods.

The incident has prompted city fire investigators to review building codes in the Fordham area. Residents are asking for clearer signage and mandatory smoke‑detector checks. Meanwhile, insurance companies are re‑examining coverage limits for multifamily units after the loss of a small child and the damage to the structure. Local officials say enforcement will tighten.