A massive house fire broke out Thursday in the Bronx, injuring eight firefighters and blazing “like hell opened up,” fire officials and witnesses said.
The flames started in an Olmstead Ave. home, near Haviland Ave., in Soundview at about 3:40 p.m. and spread to six other houses. Two were so badly damaged they need to be demolished, FDNY Chief of Department James Leonard said.
Nicholas Luckhai, 18, was alone in his bedroom, when the blaze sparked inside his home.
“When I opened my bedroom door I could see the flames come right through my house,” the Lehman High School senior said. “I tried calling 911 but the windows started shattering. The flames started spreading to the porch next door with the wind. Smoke was everywhere but I couldn't see through the flames. I was in a panic. I didn't know what to do.”