Former FDNY firefighter revisits the Bronx fires in new historical novel

John Finucane is re-releasing When the Bronx Burned for the 50th anniversary of the South Bronx arson crisis. The novel draws on his experience as an FDNY firefighter to tell the story from inside the firehouse, where crews faced dangerous blazes, failed enforcement and a borough in collapse.

Why it matters: - The South Bronx fires remain one of New York City's most notorious urban crises, with long-term damage to neighborhoods, families and public trust. - Finucane's book offers a firefighter's-eye view of the arson epidemic, shifting the focus from policy failure to the people who lived through the danger. - The novel also serves as a tribute to firefighters who worked through one of the FDNY's most dangerous eras.

What happened: - Former FDNY firefighter and author John Finucane re-released When the Bronx Burned on Sept. 23, 2026, timed to the 50th anniversary of the South Bronx fires. - The novel is set in the South Bronx in the late 1960s and early 1970s. - The story follows firefighter Jackie Mulligan and his firehouse crew as they respond to arson-for-profit tied to corrupt landlords and professional torch-men. - The book is now available on Amazon.

The details: - The novel places readers in smoke-filled hallways, collapsing buildings and dangerous streets during repeated fire calls. - Finucane writes from firsthand experience as a former FDNY firefighter during the period. - The story centers on suspicious fires that destroy homes, displace families and kill innocent people. - Mulligan grows frustrated as the city fails to devote enough resources to investigating the crimes. - When official action falls short, Mulligan and other firefighters push back against powerful interests, putting their careers and lives at risk. - The book blends historical fiction with crime-thriller elements. - Charles J. Hynes, former Kings County district attorney and former New York City fire commissioner, called the book "a riveting and fast-moving novel" and said Finucane "literally puts the reader inside the fire scene." - Historian Roger D. McGrath said Finucane writes "from the gut, with verve, power, and poignancy" after two decades fighting fires in New York City.

Between the lines: - The book is part remembrance, part narrative correction, aiming to show the human cost behind a story often told through politics and economics. - Finucane's firsthand background gives the novel credibility with readers interested in fire service history and New York City's decline-and-recovery era. - The praise from a former fire commissioner and a historian suggests the book is being positioned for both general readers and people with deep interest in New York history.

What's next: - Finucane appears to be using the 50th anniversary to renew attention on the Bronx fire era and the people who fought it. - Readers interested in New York history, true crime and historical fiction can find the book on Amazon. - The release may keep the South Bronx arson crisis in the public conversation as anniversary coverage continues.