Deadliest fire in New York in 25 years kills 12
What's the story
At least 12 people were killed in a blaze that erupted in a century-old building in the Bronx in New York yesterday night. Four are critical. The toll is expected to go up. The New York Times called it "the deadliest fire in more than a quarter-century". According to Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro, the blaze was "historic in its magnitude" due to the toll.
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Mayor Blasio pays tributes to victims
Tonight in the Bronx we've seen the worst fire tragedy in at least a quarter of a century. It is an unspeakable tragedy, and families have been torn apart. pic.twitter.com/0kCFMzxt79
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) December 29, 2017
Details
Over 160 firefighters battled the blaze
The fire on the five-storey building in Belmont was first reported just before 7pm. It quickly spread upwards. Within an hour, 160 firefighters were at the site. The chilly evening (temperature 15 degrees) and cold winds made things harder: water sprayed turned into ice on the street. The flames were brought under control by 10pm. The cause of the fire wasn't yet known.
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Witnesses recount tales of horror
There were diverse families in the 20 units. The survivors recounted tales of horror. Many said they climbed down fire escapes. "The smoke was crazy, people screaming, 'Get out!," said a witness. NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio praised the firefighters for rescuing 12 people.
Cases
Last fire with a higher toll was in 1990
Another deadly fire in recent times was reported in 2007, elsewhere in the Bronx. Nine children and one adult died. A space heater reportedly sparked the blaze. But the last blaze that had a higher toll than this incident was at the Happy Land social club in 1990: as many as 87 people were killed.