Gas explosion and fire in New York City apartment building kills 1, injures 14 | New York
A gas explosion sparked a fire on the upper floors of a New York City high-rise early Saturday, killing one person and injuring 14 others as temperatures dropped into single digits overnight, authorities said.
Firefighters responded to the 17-story New York City Housing Authority (Nycha) building in the Bronx shortly before 12:30 a.m., where people were seen leaning out of windows and calling for help as flames engulfed the upper floors, authorities said.
New York Fire Chief John Esposito said firefighters were investigating reports of a gas odor on the 15th and 16th floors when the explosion occurred. He said there was major structural damage in about a dozen apartments and fire broke out in 10 apartments on the 16th and 17th floors.
Authorities did not immediately provide information about the deceased. Another person was seriously injured, five had serious injuries and eight had minor injuries, authorities said.
Authorities said that the renovation work in the building is continuing, the work on the natural gas system has been completed and inspections have been carried out. The cause of the explosion is being investigated.
“This is an incredible tragedy. We send all our thoughts out to the families involved,” Leila Bozorg, New York City’s deputy mayor for housing and planning, said at a morning news conference.
More than 200 firefighters and emergency crews worked at the scene, according to the fire department.
“There were injuries. It was a very, very difficult night on a very cold night, and that caused even more hardship,” said Lillian Bonsignore, New York City’s fire commissioner.
Officials set up a reception center at a school near the building, and the American Red Cross was there to help with housing and other needs.
Nearly half a million New Yorkers live in old buildings run by Nycha, the city’s housing authority, which is the largest agency of its kind in the country.
Many of the properties date back to the 1940s, 50s and 60s. A federal monitor was appointed in 2019 to address chronic problems like lead paint, mold and lack of heat. Observer Bart Schwartz noted that when he completes his five-year term in 2024, the most important issue for residents remains the “poor physical condition of Nycha buildings.”
In October, a massive brick chimney stretching 20 stories above a housing authority apartment building in the Bronx collapsed after an explosion, sending tons of debris crashing to the ground but leaving no one injured. Authorities attributed it to a natural gas boiler.
