Advice from Rockland Safety Officials following the Bronx Fire

The horrific fire that took the lives of 17 in Bronx compelled Rockland’s safety officials to offer advice to prevent future mishaps.

In this case, a space heater has triggered the blaze. 

Rockland’s Director of Fire and Emergency Services Chris Kear advises to use only a portable space heater that is UL listed. It is usually marked with a sticker on the unit itself or on the box it came in.

In addition, the heater should be plugged directly into the wall and not connected to an extension cord. 

Another factor that led to the major spread of the fire and smoke in the Bronx apartment building was that the door to the apartment was left wide open, filling the hallways and stairwells with thick black smoke.

Although during crisis it’s hard to have your head in place, it is crucial to close the door of the room with the fire to prevent it from spreading and growing.

Open windows also provide oxygen for to fires and should be closed.