A malfunctioning electric space heater in a bedroom was the source of an apartment building fire Sunday in the Bronx that killed 17 people, including 8 children, making it one of the worst fires in the city’s history, New York Mayor Eric Adams said Monday.
Adams revised the death toll Monday down from 19, saying it was an evolving situation. A day earlier, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said 32 people had been taken to hospitals in life-threatening conditions.
Now, the building’s fire alarms and a series of open doors are on the radar of investigators and officials probing the second major deadly fire in a week in the Northeast.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams says there's a key message to take from devastating Bronx fire: "Close the door."
"If we can drill that in, we can save lives…This painful moment can turn into a purposeful moment." https://t.co/Wkcue98QF6 pic.twitter.com/chpeqIk6z3
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 10, 2022
New York City Mayor Adams says he spoke with Pres. Biden moments ago about tragic Bronx fire over the weekend.
"He has made it clear that whatever we need, the White House is going to be there for us." https://t.co/GUhzbvilK3 pic.twitter.com/cLCmgnSDlb
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 10, 2022
See full press briefing from this morning updating New Yorkers on Sundays tragic fire:
LIVE NOW IN THE BRONX: @NYCMayor Adams updates New Yorkers on yesterday’s fire. https://t.co/g2RTr1cKxA
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) January 10, 2022