A Bronx gas explosion on Bivona Street displaced 117 households and 349 people last week, the largest of 25 emergencies that drove the American Red Cross in Greater New York to assist 562 residents across the five boroughs between January 19 and January 25, the agency said.
The Bivona Street blast on January 24 was not merely a fire: a gas explosion tore through the high-rise and ignited a four-alarm fire, killing one person and injuring roughly 15 others, including a firefighter, while the building was evacuated, amNewYork reported. The FDNY said the explosion followed a man allegedly stealing a stove and leaving the gas on, according to NBC New York. As of the disaster-response summary the Red Cross released January 26, the incident accounted for the 117 households and 349 people cited above — more than 60 percent of the total people the Red Cross helped during the week — though the agency’s figures evolved as relief continued; the Red Cross cared for 56 households early that morning and later said it helped 376 residents after the gas explosion. The agency said it responded to 411 people affected by eight emergencies in the Bronx alone, the borough that drew the heaviest response.







