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Bronx fire: Twelve die in New York apartment block blaze | Bronx fire: Twelve die in New York apartment block blaze |
(about 1 hour later) | |
At least 12 people have been killed and four others critically injured in a fire at an apartment building in the Bronx borough of New York. | At least 12 people have been killed and four others critically injured in a fire at an apartment building in the Bronx borough of New York. |
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the fire was the deadliest in the city for at least 25 years. The victims include a one-year-old child, he added. | New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the fire was the deadliest in the city for at least 25 years. The victims include a one-year-old child, he added. |
The cause of the fire, on Prospect Avenue, near Fordham University and the Bronx Zoo, is not yet clear. | The cause of the fire, on Prospect Avenue, near Fordham University and the Bronx Zoo, is not yet clear. |
More than 160 firefighters helped bring the blaze under control. | More than 160 firefighters helped bring the blaze under control. |
Officials said the first alarm sounded at the five-storey building at about 19:00 local time (00:00 GMT). | Officials said the first alarm sounded at the five-storey building at about 19:00 local time (00:00 GMT). |
Speaking at the scene, Mr De Blasio said a nearby school had been set up to shelter those evacuated from the building. The city is currently experiencing bitterly cold weather. | Speaking at the scene, Mr De Blasio said a nearby school had been set up to shelter those evacuated from the building. The city is currently experiencing bitterly cold weather. |
"We're here at the scene of an unspeakable tragedy," Mr De Blasio said. | "We're here at the scene of an unspeakable tragedy," Mr De Blasio said. |
"Tonight, here in the Bronx there are families that have been torn apart. This is the worst fire tragedy we have seen in this city in at least a quarter century. Based on the information we have now, this will rank as one as the worst losses of life to a fire in many, many years." | "Tonight, here in the Bronx there are families that have been torn apart. This is the worst fire tragedy we have seen in this city in at least a quarter century. Based on the information we have now, this will rank as one as the worst losses of life to a fire in many, many years." |
He said the fire service had managed to rescue at least 12 people from the building. | He said the fire service had managed to rescue at least 12 people from the building. |
Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro, standing alongside the mayor, described the fire as a "tragedy... without question historic in its magnitude". | Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro, standing alongside the mayor, described the fire as a "tragedy... without question historic in its magnitude". |
"People died on various floors of the apartment [block], ranging in age from one to over 50," he told reporters. | "People died on various floors of the apartment [block], ranging in age from one to over 50," he told reporters. |
"In a department that is surely no stranger to tragedy, we're shocked by the lives lost." | "In a department that is surely no stranger to tragedy, we're shocked by the lives lost." |
Witness Rafael Gonzalez, who lives in a building across the street, told WCBS-TV he was woken by the smell of smoke and then saw some people using a fire escape of the burning building as the fire raged. | Witness Rafael Gonzalez, who lives in a building across the street, told WCBS-TV he was woken by the smell of smoke and then saw some people using a fire escape of the burning building as the fire raged. |
The building contains more than 20 flats and was built just over 100 years ago, the New York Times reported. | The building contains more than 20 flats and was built just over 100 years ago, the New York Times reported. |
The Associated Press said the fire was the deadliest in New York - excluding the 9/11 attacks - since 87 people died at a social club in the Bronx in 1990. | The Associated Press said the fire was the deadliest in New York - excluding the 9/11 attacks - since 87 people died at a social club in the Bronx in 1990. |
Earlier this month, a mother and her three children died in a fire at their home in Brooklyn, New York. | Earlier this month, a mother and her three children died in a fire at their home in Brooklyn, New York. |
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