YONKERS, N.Y. An electrical fire that officials say may have been smoldering for days erupted into flames early Tuesday, leaving 21 people homeless.
Firefighters responded to the blaze at 14 Overlook Terrace just after it was reported at 3:45 a.m., Yonkers Deputy Chief John Flynn said.
The deputy chief said the fire is believed to have started in the wall of a first-floor bathroom before spreading to the second floor of the three-story building. Flynn said he was not aware of any injuries.
Jose Desala, a resident of the first floor, said he noticed smoke filling up his apartment around 3:30 a.m. as he was getting ready for work. Desala said he searched the apartment for the source of the smoke, but it wasnt until he went outside that he saw flames shooting out from the walls.
Desala said he rushed back into his apartment and woke up his family and neighbors before calling 911.
One day everything is fine and the next everything has changed, he said, looking up at what was left of his apartment.
On Tuesday afternoon, Desala rummaged through the remains, salvaging what he could. But there wasnt much that survived the blaze, he said, estimating 80 percent of his possessions were lost.
Whatever the fire didnt mess up the smoke and water got to, he said.
Flynn said that Desala and the other residents, 16 adults and five children, will not be able to move back into the building until substantial work has been done, as the first and second floors were badly damaged.
Officials from the American Red Cross said they are helping to arrange housing for residents of the five apartments.
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