Crews battle frigid conditions after New York City fire leaves 12 dead
At least 12 people, including a one-year-old child, are dead and several more injured after a four-alarm fire broke out in a Bronx apartment building on Thursday evening.
"We may lose others as well," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said as he briefed the media outside of the apartment building.
This is the worst fire tragedy we have seen in this city in a quarter century - it will rank as one of the worst losses in a fire in many years -@NYCMayor de Blasio
— FDNY (@FDNY) December 29, 2017
The mayor announced on twitter that the New York City Fire Department was able to rescue at least 12 people from the building, all of whom are expected to survive. Four others are seriously injured and fighting for their lives.
Over 150 firefighters were on the scene battling the blaze amid frigid conditions with temperatures in the teens and AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures below zero. Nearby observations from LaGuardia Airport reported wind gusts close to 30 mph during the time of the blaze.
The fire ignited shortly before 7:00 p.m. EST on the first floor before quickly spreading throughout the building, which is located close to the Bronx Zoo. The fire was brought under control a few hours later.
Over 160 #FDNY members are operating on scene of a 4-alarm fire, 2363 Prospect Ave #Bronx pic.twitter.com/wjN9mMqCHU
— FDNY (@FDNY) December 29, 2017
The cause of the blaze remains undetermined at this time.
Crews investigating the cause of the blaze and those who have been left homeless by the fire will face brutally cold conditions over the next few days.
Temperatures will remain sub-freezing in the city into the beginning of the new year.
