Man Dies in Bronx Basement Fire

A man died as a result of an early-morning house fire in the Bronx Sunday, authorities said.

Firefighters and police were called to 1120 E. 225th St. at about 5:20 a.m. Sunday, where a fire had apparently started in the basement of the three-family apartment building.

Battalion Fire Chief George Campbell said crews were able to knock the fire out quickly, but faced thick smoke in the basement. "The fire was under the garage, the concrete floor," he said. "That holds everything in -- the heat, the smoke. So we had to cut a hole out."

A man in his 60s was removed from the basement apartment and taken to Montefiore North Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, said police.

A woman was also removed from the apartment and taken to Jacobi Hospital, where she was listed in stable condition, police said.

Investigation is ongoing, but police said the fire did not appear to be criminal in nature.