UPDATE: A devastating gas explosion in a high-rise apartment building in the Bronx claimed the life of one individual and left 14 others injured early Saturday morning. The explosion occurred shortly before 12:30 a.m., sending flames raging through the upper floors as temperatures plummeted into the single digits.
Firefighters rushed to the 17-story building where residents were seen desperately leaning out of windows calling for help while smoke billowed from the top. Fire Chief John Esposito reported that crews were investigating a gas odor on the 15th and 16th floors when the explosion erupted, resulting in significant structural damage to multiple apartments.
Officials confirm that 10 apartments on the 16th and 17th floors were engulfed in flames. Among the injured, one person remains in critical condition, while five others sustained serious injuries and eight experienced minor injuries. The identity of the deceased has not yet been disclosed.
The building, which was previously managed by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), has been under private management since 2024. City officials stated the building was undergoing renovations at the time of the incident, with recent inspections completed on the natural gas system. The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.
“This is an incredible tragedy. We’re sending all our thoughts to the families involved,” expressed Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning, during a morning news conference. Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed that all utilities within the building have been shut down, and all 148 apartments have been vacated.
A reception center has been established at a nearby school to assist displaced residents, with the American Red Cross on-site to provide housing and other immediate needs. “As you can imagine, this has been a deeply frightening and devastating morning for them,” Mamdani stated. “They are not alone. Our city will stand by them and do everything in our power to help them get back on their feet.”
More than 200 fire and emergency crew members worked tirelessly at the scene, with some firefighters briefly trapped in an elevator during the chaos. Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore noted the difficulty of the operation, stating, “It was a very, very difficult night on a very cold night, which caused even more difficulty.”
This incident raises significant concerns regarding the safety of aging buildings in New York, where approximately half a million residents live in properties managed by NYCHA, the largest housing authority in the nation. Many of these buildings date back to the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, and have faced chronic issues such as lead paint, mold, and lack of heat.
In a previous explosion in October, a brick chimney from a NYCHA building collapsed, linked to a natural gas boiler, although fortunately, no injuries were reported. As investigations continue, city officials stress the importance of enhanced safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Stay with us for updates as this story develops.
