‘Decade of Fire’ documents why the Bronx burned and how the flames ignited residents’ fighting spirits

The stench of fire hung in the air. Sirens wailed.

The Bronx was burning. And it was happening long before Howard Cosell announced it during Game 2 of the 1977 World Series.

Those terrifying and infuriating years are the subject of “Decade of Fire,” on PBS’ “Independent Lens” at 10 p.m. on Monday.