Gas explosion, fire on top floors of New York City apartment building kills 1, injures 14By DAVE COLLINSAssociated PressThe Associated PressOfficials say one person was killed and 14 others injured in a gas explosion and fires at the top of a 17-story New York City apartment building. People were seen leaning out of windows and calling for help as flames engulfed parts of the top floors early Saturday morning in the Bronx. Chief of Department John Esposito says 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 to the building. Authorities say the building had been undergoing renovations, including work on the natural gas system. The cause of the explosion is under investigation.<\/p>\n
A gas explosion sent fire racing through the top floors of a high-rise apartment building in New York City early Saturday, killing one person and injuring 14 others as temperatures plunged into the single digits overnight, authorities said.<\/p>\n
Firefighters responded shortly before 12:30 a.m. to the 17-story New York City Housing Authority building in the Bronx, where people were seen leaning out of windows calling for help as flames engulfed parts of the top floors, officials said. <\/p>\n
Chief of Department 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 to about a dozen apartments and fires in 10 apartments on the 16th and 17th floors.<\/p>\n
Authorities did not immediately release information on the person who died. Another person was critically injured, five had serious injuries and eight had minor injuries, officials said.<\/p>\n
Officials said the building had been undergoing renovations and work on the natural gas system had been completed and inspected. The cause of the explosion was under investigation.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s an incredible tragedy. We\u2019re sending all our thoughts to the families involved,” Leila Bozorg, deputy mayor for housing and planning said at a morning news conference.<\/p>\n
More than 200 fire and emergency crews worked the scene, according to the fire department.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were injuries. It was a very, very difficult night on a very cold night, which caused even more difficulty,” Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said.<\/p>\n
Officials set up a reception center at a school near the building and the American Red Cross was there to help provide housing and other needs.<\/p>\n
Around half a million New Yorkers live in aging buildings run by the city\u2019s housing authority, known as NYCHA, which is the largest in the nation.<\/p>\n
Many of the properties date back to the 1940s, \u201950s and \u201960s. In 2019<\/a>, a federal monitor was appointed to address chronic problems like lead paint, mold and lack of heat. When he wrapped his five-year term in 2024, the monitor, Bart Schwartz, noted<\/a> that the overarching issue for residents remained the \u201cpoor physical state of NYCHA\u2019s buildings.\u201d<\/p>\n