19 Killed Including 9 Children As Fire Engulfs Building

Nine children and ten adults have been killed in the Bronx apartment fire in New York City.

Gatekeepers News reports that the fire incident which has been described as New York City’s worst fire disaster in more than 30 years has killed 19 people including 9 children and left dozens more critically injured on Sunday.

The five-alarm blaze erupted shortly before 11 am on the third floor of a 19-storey building at 333 East 181st Street in the Bronx.

In a press conference, FDNY Commissioner Dan Nigro said ‘numerous’ fatalities are anticipated.

A witness who was in tears said, “I don’t know, we haven’t heard more. It’s too much. [They were looking for] kids, mothers.”

Cristal Diaz, who lives on the fifth floor of the building, told the New York Post, “We didn’t know what to do. We looked out the windows and saw all the dead bodies they were taking with the blankets.”

Diaz’s niece, 13-year-old Alanny, reportedly saw “moms fainting at the sight of their kids dying.”

The fire at the Twin Parks North West complex quickly progressed. Firefighters were seen pulling desperate victims out of windows.

According to officials, a hazardous material team was requested to retrieve a lithium-ion battery, but it is unclear whether the fire was caused by the battery or was damaged by the fire, fire Marshalls are investigating.

According to reports, more than 200 firefighters across the borough responded to the scene.

The FDNY said the icy conditions made it difficult for firefighters to put out the blaze, confirming that at least 63 people were injured.

NYC mayor Eric Adams during a press conference said ‘The impact of this fire is going to really bring a level of pain and despair in this city.

”The numbers are horrific. We have over 32 people who are life-threatening at this time. This is going to be one of the worst fires we have witnessed in the City of New York in modern times.’

Nigro added that a door to the apartment was opened, leading to the spread of the fire.

‘The smoke conditions in this building are unprecedented,’ Nigro said. ‘This smoke extended the entire height of the building, completely unusual,’ he said. ‘Members found victims on every floor in stairwells.’

According to Nigro, many of the victims suffered smoke inhalation, and he fears there may be numerous fatalities.

The death toll of Sunday’s fire is set to become the worst in 30 years for New York City, second only to the Happy land club fire in 1990, in which 87 people died after an arsonist used $1 worth of gasoline to set the club on fire.