Within an hour, “heavy wind conditions” elevated the fire to five alarms — the highest alarm level indicating a severe fire, according to the FDNY. “The fire had too much headway. It was extremely dangerous for our firefighters,” said John Esposito, the FDNY’s Chief of Department.

A five-alarm fire is burning in the Bronx, and several people have been hospitalized. Firefighters are on the scene along Wallace Avenue in the Allerton section, working to get the intense flames and smoke under control.