NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The FDNY commissioner said Sunday that a "malfunctioning" electric space heater sparked the 5-alarm Bronx apartment building fire that killed at least 19 people, including 9 children, in the city's worst fire in over 30 years.
"This fire began in an apartment that spans two floors on the second and third floor of the building," Commissioner Daniel Nigro said. "It started in a malfunctioning electric space heater. That was the cause of the fire."
He added, "The fire consumed that apartment and part of the hallway. The door to that apartment, unfortunately, when the residents left, [it] was left open [and] it did not close by itself. The smoke spread throughout the building, thus the tremendous loss of life."
Mayor Eric Adams said over 30 people are in the hospital as a result of the blaze at 333 East 181st Street, known as the Twin Parks North West in Fordham Heights.
"We are going to be here for this community to help them navigate through this," Adams said.
The FDNY had previously said that 63 people had been injured, 32 of whom had suffered serious injuries in the 19-story, 120-unit high-rise blaze. Officials said 19 of them were treated on the scene while the rest were transported to area hospitals.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said she would establish a victim's compensation fund to help individuals affected by the deadly fire.
"We're here for the Bronx and we're here for anyone who needs us," she added.
Around 200 firefighters were actively working to contain the blaze, which started around 11 a.m. Adams noted some of their oxygen tanks were empty and they "still pushed through the smoke."
The FDNY received numerous calls of fire from residents on upper floors when the blaze began.
The NYC Department of Buildings confirmed that it was also inspecting the structural stability of the building and was assisting with the investigation.
Adams, who also appeared at an earlier news briefing, said the fire "is going to be one of the worst fires we have witnessed here in modern times in the city of New York."
Hochul expressed her condolences in a statement on Twitter before Sunday night's news conference.
"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."