After a huge 5-alarm fire Sunday morning in New York City, at least 19 people have died, nine of which are children.
Officials are calling it the city’s worst fire in more than three decades.
At 10 a.m., 200 FDNY members responded quickly to a blaze at a high-rise apartment building in The Bronx.
FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro told WCBS, “Firefighters found victims on every floor and were taking them out in cardiac and respiratory arrest,” Nigro said. “That is unprecedented in our city.”
Nigro claimed that a portable electric heater was responsible for the deadly fire in his bedroom. Nigro also stated that the fire spread because Nigro left the front door open to the apartment where it started.
At a press conference on Sunday evening, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she would include a victim’s compensation fund in her budget which she is currently finalizing. Eric Adams, Mayor of Philadelphia, stated that ICE will not call on survivors who need assistance. A large number of African immigrants live in the area where the fire took place.
One woman, who was rescued out of the building, shared her story with WCBS. “Black, black smoke I could barely see from me to you. Helped the people that were able to come into my house and once the fire department got there and they was able to get us out they said follow the stairs until you see light.”
Officials state that the majority of the victims, more than 60 in total, were taken to local hospitals for smoke inhalation.
You can get help by texting 181STFIRE (692692) or by heading here.
RELATED STORIES