19 people, including nine children, were killed in a devastating fire that took over an apartment building in New York City.
On Sunday morning, just before 11 am, a massive blaze erupted in the Bronx and the firefighters were called to the 19-story apartment building at 333 East 181st Street.
After successfully putting out the fire, it was discovered that at least 19 people died from burns and smoke inhalation.
“On buildings like this there are no fire escapes. There are interior stairways. So people would have been aware of the exits. I think some of them could not escape due to the volume of smoke,” FDNY Commissioner Dan Nigro said.
“Members found victims on every floor, in stairwells. The last time we had a loss of life that may be this horrific was a fire which was over 30 years ago, also here in the Bronx.”
According to the preliminary investigation, it is believed that the fire could have been caused by a faulty space heater.
After the blaze erupted on the second and third floor, the flames quickly spread throughout the hallways, blocking the escape of residents.
“We are investigating where everyone was found, and how the smoke travelled. But marshals have determined that this fire started in a bedroom, in a portable heater,” Nigro added.
“The heat was on in the building. This was being used to supplement the heat.”
As the fire commissioner explained, the spread of the fire was rapid due to the door of the apartment where the blaze erupted being left open.
The tragedy is under investigation. Our thoughts remain with the victims of the blaze and their families.
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