{O/C}
Multiple New Yorkers residing in a Bronx apartment building were gravely injured by smoke in a fire that's killed at least 19 people, nine of whom were children.
{RVO}
This is believed to be New York City's deadliest fire in three decades.
Smoke coursed through the building, leaving dozens of people hospitalised, 13 of whom are still listed as critical.
Investigators laid the blame on a malfunctioning electric space heater, which is discovered to have started the fire in the 19-storey building.
The flames damaged only a small part of the building, but it was the acrid smoke that billowed high into the air and incarcerating residents inside.
Many limp children were seen being given oxygen after they were rescued.
Victims were found on almost every floor, with many in cardiac and respiratory arrest. The
The building is equipped with smoke alarms, but several residents said they initially ignored them as alarms were so common, most residents don't usually pay attention to them.
While having sprinkler systems and interior doors are mandatory for new and large apartment buildings in New York, thousands of the city's older buildings are not subject to the rules.
New York is also home to a deadly fire back in 2007, also started by a space heater, that resulted in 3 deaths.
Comentarios