A 27-year-old Indian man died in a deadly apartment fire at St. Nicholas Place in Harlem, New York.
The Indian Consulate in New York has issued a statement on the matter, identifying the victim as Fazil Khan. In the statement, the consulate expressed condolences and said they are in touch with his family and friends.
"Saddened to learn about the death of 27-year-old Indian national Mr Fazil Khan in an unfortunate fire incident in an apartment building in Harlem, NY. India in New York is in touch with the late Fazil Khan's family and friends. We continue to extend all possible assistance in reparation of his mortal remains to India," the consulate said on X.
Saddened to learn about death of 27 years old Indian national Mr. Fazil Khan in an unfortunate fire incident in an apartment building in Harlem, NY. @IndiainNewYork is in touch with late Mr. Fazil Khan’s family & friends.
— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) February 25, 2024
We continue to extend all possible assistance in…
Khan was an alumnus of the Columbia Journalism School and was working as a data journalist with The Hechinger Report, a New York-based media company focused on innovation and inequality in education.
He moved to New York in 2020 to pursue his graduate degree from Columbia University, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The Hechinger Report also issued a statement, mourning their "great colleague and a wonderful person." "We learned Saturday that The Hechinger Report's data reporter Fazil 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," the statement said, as per media reports.
As per the New York City Fire Department, its marshals determined lithium-ion battery as the cause of the “devastating" fire, Indian Express reported. Responding to the scene at around 2:14 pm on Feb 23, firefighters found several people on the fire escape.
Many of them were seen hanging out the windows on the fifth floor, the fire department added. They identified a total of 18 patients, out of which four were in critical condition. Meanwhile, the incident remains under investigation.
FDNY Fire Marshals have determined that Friday’s devastating fire at 2 St. Nicholas Place in Manhattan was caused by a lithium-ion battery. The fire claimed the life of one person and injured 17 others. pic.twitter.com/7h9CKrzcPN
— FDNY (@FDNY) February 24, 2024
"Three firefighters using the lifesaving rope were lowered to the 5th floor where victims were trapped, grabbed them, & lowered them to the ground. There were 18 total patients. 12 transports, 4 of them in critical condition. 1 person died at the hospital. Fire under investigation," the FDNY posted on X.
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