A fire at a Buddhist temple in the Bronx early Thursday morning claimed two lives, including that of a Buddhist monk.
The blaze broke out around 6 a.m. local time, according to the Associated Press.”The fire spread to two buildings, and unfortunately, we have confirmed two fatalities,” said New York Fire Chief John Esposito. Authorities have notified the victims’ families but have not released their identities.
According to a temple staff member, several people were sleeping inside when a heater ignited nearby clothing, sparking the fire, as reported by the Daily News.
The flames quickly spread from the temple to two adjacent residential buildings, local firefighters confirmed.
