Nineteen killed in fire at block of flats in New York City
- The Fire Department of the City of New York said around 200 firefighters responded to the scene on Sunday at the Twin Park flats in the city’s Bronx borough
- Nine children are among the 19 dead while 32 people were taken to hospital, with most of the victims suffering from severe smoke inhalation
At least 19 people, including nine children, died in a fire on Sunday at a Bronx block of flats, the deadliest blaze in New York City in more than three decades.
Stefan Ringel, a senior adviser to Mayor Eric Adams, confirmed the death toll. He said the children killed were 16 years old or younger.
Thirteen people remained hospitalised in critical condition, Ringel said. In all, more than five dozen people were hurt. Most of the victims had suffered severe smoke inhalation, fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said.
Adams called the fire’s toll “horrific.” At a news conference on Sunday near the building, he said: “This is going to be one of the worst fires that we have witnessed during modern times.”
Firefighters “found victims on every floor and were taking them out in cardiac and respiratory arrest,” Nigro said. “That is unprecedented in our city.”
