by DJ PARK and ERNIE NASPRETTO
A fast-moving blaze fueled by yesterday's fierce winds gutted at least five Bronx buildings, leaving scores homeless, fire officials said. The 4 a.m. fire began at 509 Concord Ave. and quickly leaped out of control, sending residents from 503 Concord Ave. to 515 Concord Ave. racing into the frigid predawn darkness. "I came out into the hallway and thought it was the end of life for me and my family," said J. King, 44. Fanned by winds that whipped as fast as 50 mph, the Mott Haven blaze wasn't under control until 6:50 a.m. Firefighters were still putting out pockets of flames late yesterday afternoon. "It was 4 in the morning - a lot of noise, a lot of screaming and windows breaking," said Jorge Burgos, 46, of 503 Concord Ave. There were no serious injuries, but 22 firefighters and three civilians suffered minor injuries. The cause of the fire, which led to the complete collapse of a wall between two of the homes, remains under investigation. "Wind was definitely a factor," an FDNY spokesman said. Twenty to 25 families were relocated, Red Cross officials said. City Department of Environmental Protection officials responded to the scene after residents complained about problems with hydrants. "Firemen were asking where the hydrants were. Only one truck was able to shoot water," said Anna Molina, 39, of 505 Concord Ave. But fire officials said DEP investigators left after finding no problems with the hydrants. "There were absolutely no problems at all," the FDNY spokesman said.
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