Like So Many Other Fires, the Bronx Fire Was About Poverty

Last week's devastating fire in the Bronx was a reminder of fires past, and of the crisis of burning buildings that gripped the borough in the 1970s.

"There were many families who were burned out of apartment after apartment after apartment," said Joe Flood, author of 'The Fires.' "And they slept with bags packed, with shoes on their feet."

Although the number of fires has dropped dramatically since then, one problem persists: people who live in substandard housing often lack sufficient heat, because there is a severe dearth of affordable housing in New York. And advocates argue tragic fires won't be prevented unless there's more affordable housing.