Six-alarm fire rips through Bronx building, injuring 16

Sixteen people, including seven children, were injured Tuesday morning when a six-alarm fire ripped through an apartment building in the Van Nest section of the Bronx, officials said.

Four people were seriously injured in life threatening condition, and 12 suffered minor injuries, officials said. Those who required medical attention were taken to Jacobi Medical Center.

Firefighters arrived at the building on Commonwealth Ave. near East Tremont Ave. at about 5:30 a.m. for a smoke call, the FDNY said.

The blaze at that point was burning on the first floor, but quickly engulfed the floors above.

Photos from the scene showed the entire building wrapped in smoke as flames became visible.

Fire officials have asked neighboring residents to avoid the smoke.

The blaze comes several days after another fire in the borough killed 12 people, and left 22 families homeless.