At least 19 people, including nine children, have died after a huge fire tore through an apartment block in New York City.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the number of dead in the Bronx apartment building fire.

A city official who was not allowed to speak to the media confirmed to Associated Press the number of children dead.

More than 60 people were injured and 13 people were still in critical condition in the hospital, Stefan Ringel, a senior adviser to Mayor Eric Adams said.

Firefighters work outside an apartment building after a fire in the Bronx, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Image:
Firefighters work outside the apartment building. Pic: AP

The majority of victims were suffering from severe smoke inhalation, New York City Fire Department commissioner Daniel Nigro said.

Around 200 firefighters responded to the blaze at the Twin Park apartments, a 19-storey building on the Bronx’s East 181st Street with photos posted online showing a rescue ladder extended up to the eighth floor.

Firefighters “found victims on every floor and were taking them out in cardiac and respiratory arrest”, Mr Nigro said.

More from US

Emergency personnel from the FDNY respond to an apartment building fire in the Bronx borough of New York City, U.S., January 9, 2022. REUTERS/Lloyd Mitchell
Image:
Around 200 firefighters responded to the blaze

“That is unprecedented in our city. We expect there to be numerous fatalities.”

He added that the fire originated in a duplex apartment spanning the second and third floors and firefighters found the door to the apartment open, which apparently allowed the flames to accelerate and spread smoke quickly.

Mr Nigro went on to describe the blaze as one of the worst fires to hit the city in recent memory, comparing it to the Happy Land social club incident in 1990, which killed 89 people.

The fire is not believed to be suspicious in origin but the cause is under investigation.

You May Also Like

Officials seize 68 big cats from Tiger King star’s animal park

Sixty-eight big cats have been seized from an animal park featured in…

Putin: ‘Where is the proof’ we are waging a cyber war against America?

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has denied claims his country is waging a…
Kentucky man jailed for nine years after faking death to avoid child support | US News

Kentucky man jailed for nine years after faking death to avoid child support | US News

A man was jailed after faking his own death in a bid…

Derek Chauvin guilty of the murder of George Floyd

A jury has unanimously convicted Derek Chauvin of the murder of George…