At least 32 people were transported from the scene to local hospitals in ‘life-threatening condition’

At least 32 people were transported from the scene to local hospitals in “life-threatening condition,” Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro said in a news conference following the 5-alarm fire in the Bronx.

“That is unprecedented in our city,” he said.

FDNY units arrived on scene within three minutes of receiving the call of “a fire that was in a duplex apartment that spanned floors two and three,” Nigro said, adding, firefighters were met by fire in the hallways of the building – “very heavy smoke, very heavy fire.”

FDNY members “found victims on every floor in stairways. They were taking them out in cardiac and respiratory arrest.

Officials haven’t confirmed any potential death toll from Sunday’s fire, but note the deadliest fire in New York City took place in 1990, when 87 people died in a blaze at the Happy Land social club.

Over all – and as reported earlier – at least 54 people are injured as a result of Sunday’s fire.