Our Bureau
Harlem, NY
Fazil Khan, a 27-year-old Indian national, has died in a deadly fire in New York’s Harlem. The Indian Embassy in New York informed that it is extending support and is in touch with Khan’s friends and family. Khan was a journalist with New York-based media company The Hechinger Report, which is focused on innovation and inequality in education.
“Saddened to learn about death of 27-year-old Indian national Mr. Fazil Khan in an unfortunate fire incident in Harlem, NY. India in New York is in touch with the late Mr. Fazil Khan’s family & friends. We continue to extend all possible assistance in reparation of his mortal remains to India,” the Indian Embassy in New York posted on X.
According to the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), a lithium-ion battery caused a deadly fire at a Harlem apartment building on Friday, as reported by CBS News. Reportedly, 17 others were injured and dozens of people were displaced.
The Hechinger Report said in a post on X that it learned Saturday that Khan died in a fire in the New York City building where he lived.
We are devastated by the loss of such a great colleague and wonderful person, and our hearts go out to his family. He will be dearly missed, it said.
Firefighters said the fire originated in the building’s 3rd floor. At 2:14 pm Friday, the FDNY responded to the 2-alarm fire at 2 St. Nicholas Place in Harlem. Firefighters arrived within minutes to find people on the fire escape. People were also seen hanging out the windows on the fifth floor, the fire department said. Victims were trapped on the 5th floor of the building.
To save their lives, the residents of the St. Nicholas Place apartment building were forced to jump or use the fire escape. Meanwhile, according to fire officials, 18 people were rescued. Moreover, 12 were rushed to a local hospital and four victims remain in critical condition, CBS News reported.
Following the incident, a full vacate order has been issued by the Department of Buildings and the Red Cross is assisting dozens of people with temporary housing at a school nearby.
