NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The FDNY commissioner said a "malfunctioning" electric space heater sparked the five-alarm Bronx apartment building fire that killed at least 19 people, including nine children, on Sunday morning.
The FDNY said more than 60 people were injured, dozens with life threatening injuries, with 19 were treated on the scene and the rest were taken to area hospitals. Earlier, the FDNY had reported 31 people had suffered serious injuries.
Officials said the fire was contained after 200 firefighters actively worked to contain the blaze at 333 East 181 Street in Fordham Heights.
Officials said it appeared the fire was started by a space heater.
The FDNY said the fire was on the third floor of the 19-story high rise. The department received numerous calls of fire from residents on upper floors.
"The door to that apartment was left open, causing the fire to spread and the smoke to spread," added Nigro.
The NYC Department of Buildings confirmed it was also inspecting the structural stability of the building and to assist with the investigation.
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New York Mayor Eric Adams, who also appeared at Sunday's news briefing, said the blaze "is going to be one of the worst fires we have witnessed here in modern times in the city of New York."
At a later press briefing, Adams said that many of the residents were immigrants, particularly from Gambia. "If you need assistance, your names will not be turned over to ICE or any other institution," he said.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appeared alongside Adams and Nigro at an evening press briefing. She pledged action to help the victims of the fire.
"When I prepare my budget this week, I'm going to establish a victims' compensation fund for the individuals I just sat with and said, 'I will not forget you,'" said Hochul. The governor explained the funds would be used to help survivors find new housing, as well as cover funeral costs for the deceased.
Earlier in the day, she expressed her condolences in a statement on Twitter.
"I am horrified by the devastating fire in the Bronx today," she tweeted. "My heart is with the loved ones of all those we've tragically lost, all of those impacted and with our heroic @FDNY firefighters. The entire State of New York stands with New York City."
This happened less than a week after a fire broke out at a duplex in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia, killing 12 people, including eight children. Philadelphia fire officials noted it was one of the city's deadliest in over 100 years.
KYW Newsradio's Andre Bennett contributed to this story.