Gas explosion sparks fire on upper floors of building

A gas explosion caused a fire in the upper floors of a high-rise building in New York on Saturday morning. The authorities said: according to Associated Pressthat at least one person died, while 14 others were injured. The incident occurred as temperatures fell to single digits overnight, amid an impending winter storm.

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Fire at New York City building follows renovations

Firefighters responded shortly before 12:30 a.m. to a 17-story building in the Bronx. People reportedly leaned out of windows to call for help as flames engulfed parts of the upper floors, officials said.

Additionally, department Chief John Esposito said firefighters were investigating reports of a gas odor on the 15th and 16th floors at the time of the explosion. He said about a dozen apartments suffered significant structural damage. Additionally, at least 10 apartments located on the 16th and 17th floors were damaged by fire.

Authorities did not immediately release information about the deceased person. Authorities said one other person was seriously injured, while five were seriously injured and eight were lightly injured. The building has undergone renovations. Work on the natural gas system was completed and inspected. Therefore, the cause of the explosion was under investigation.

What happens next for affected building residents?

The building was formerly managed by the New York City Housing Authority but has been under private management since 2024, city officials said.

“This is an incredible tragedy. We send all our thoughts to the families affected,” said Leila Bozorg, deputy mayor in charge of housing and urban planning, during a morning press conference.

More than 200 firefighters and emergency crews worked at the scene, according to the fire department.

“There were some injuries. It was a very, very difficult night, on a very cold night, which caused even more difficulty,” said Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonignore.

Officials set up a shelter at a school near the building, and the American Red Cross was there to help provide housing and other needs. However, it is unclear what the accommodations look like and the limits of this assistance.

More construction chaos in New York

About half a million New Yorkers live in aging buildings managed by the city’s housing authority, NYCHAthe largest in the country. Most of the properties date from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. In 2019, a federal monitor was appointed to tackle chronic problems like lead paint, mold and lack of heat. When he finished his five-year term in 2024, observer Bart Schwartz emphasized that the overarching issue for residents remained the “poor physical condition of NYCHA buildings. »

In October, a massive brick chimney, located 20 stories up the side of a housing authority apartment building in the Bronx, collapsed after an explosion. The incident caused tons of debris to fall to the ground – surprisingly, without injuring anyone. Authorities linked it to a natural gas boiler.

Associated Press writer Dave Collins contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.