At least 19 reported dead in NY apartment building fire
New York, Jan 9 (EFE).- A fire on Sunday in an apartment building in The Bronx took the lives of at least 19 people, according to local media, although that report has not been officially confirmed by local authorities, who however did say that they expect numerous fatalities.
According to the daily New York Post and local ABC7 television, citing police sources, among the 19 reported fatalities are nine children.
Meanwhile, New York Fire Department chief Dan Nigro told reporters that at least 63 people were injured in the blaze and authorities are expecting multiple fatalities, and newly installed Mayor Eric Adams said that it was one of the most devastating fires in the recent history of the Big Apple.
“This is a horrific, epic, painful moment for the city of New York. The impact of this fire is going to really bring a level of pain and despair in our city. The numbers are horrific,” Adams said during a press conference at the site of the fire.
“This is going to be one of the worst fires that we have witnessed during modern times here in the city of New York,” he added.
The fire started for unknown reasons in a duplex located on the second floor of a 19-story building and smoke spread quickly throughout the structure, a very unusual situation, the fire chief said.
Nigro said that rescue teams found victims on “every floor,” most of them overcome by smoke and many in very serious condition, whereupon they were transported to local hospitals.
More than 200 firefighters participated in the effort to put out the fire, the FDNY said.
In images broadcast by several media outlets and posted on the social networks, one can see a large number of people, including children, receiving first aid from emergency teams.
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