Fatal Fires in Harlem, the Bronx Kill Two

Yesterday, separate fires in Harlem and in the Bronx each claimed a life.

The fire in the Bronx occurred at 1317 West Farms Road around 11AM. An elderly man was found in his living room apartment; three other residents treated at a hospital. The FDNY believes the fire was accidental.

Around 6AM, the Harlem fire on West 127th Street was reported. A woman was found dead on the top floor of a vacant building and one man, who lived in the apartment where the fire started, suffered second and third degrees burns (he was found in the backyard - FDNY thinks he jumped). Eight firefighters had minor injuries.

Witnesses say a man was seen leaving the building before the fire and the FDNY is looking for the dead woman's boyfriend. However, the Fire Department thinks the fire was accidental and started by candles. Residents say that squatters lived in the building, but one told Newsday, "There's always people hanging out on that stoop. I didn't realize there were that many people in there."