An electric heater caused the fire.
19 people, including nine children, have died in a fire in the Bronx, New York.
The blaze broke out at an apartment block at 11 am on Sunday, January 9th.
13 people are currently fighting for their lives in hospital.
Investigators believe an electric heater in a third-floor apartment caused the fire.
The fire quickly “consumed” the bedroom, as well as the entire apartment.
Smoke quickly spread throughout the building because the apartment door was left open.
Residents struggled to “escape because of the volume of smoke”. Firefighters found victims on every floor of the 19-story building.
They continued rescue attempts even when their oxygen tanks were empty.
.@NYCMayor, @GovKathyHochul, @FDNY Commissioner Nigro and other leaders brief the press and comfort families after today’s five-alarm fire in the Bronx. pic.twitter.com/FdDuSq8bTO
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) January 9, 2022
Victims suffered cardiac arrest, as well as respiratory arrest due to severe smoke inhalation.
Firefighters said the smoke conditions were “unprecedented”.
“Members found victims on every floor in stairwells and were taking them out in cardiac and respiratory arrest,” said NYC Fire Department Commissioner Daniel Nigro.
He added, “This fire started in a bedroom in a portable electric heater.”
Mayor Eric Adams stated, “We’ve lost 19 of our neighbors today.”
He said the fire is “a tragedy beyond measure.”
“This is a horrific, horrific, painful moment for the city of New York.”
He asked people to pray for “the 9 innocent young lives that were cut short.”
Mayor Adams praised the firefighters for “fighting so valiantly”.
A full investigation is currently underway, even though the cause of the fire is known.
“To everyone affected by this tragedy: Your city will be with you in the days ahead.”
