Last Updated: February 25, 2024, 07:44 IST
New York, United States of America (USA)
A man leans on a garbage can outside the entrance to the Lexington Avenue subway station at 116th street in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, May 18, 2023. (Representative image: Reuters)
Indian Mission in New York aids in repatriation after tragic fire claims life of Indian national in Harlem. Community mourns loss
The Indian Mission in New York on Sunday expressed condolences following the tragic death of 27-year-old Indian national Fazil Khan in a fire incident at an apartment building in Harlem.
Seventeen others were injured in a fire that broke out at the building, leaving some residents trapped on the fire escape on Friday. Twelve people were taken to area hospitals, and four were in critical condition, officials said at a news conference. “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, the Indian Mission in New York said in a post 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.We continue to extend all possible assistance in…— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) February 25, 2024
“Indian mission in New York is in touch with late Mr. Fazil Khan’s family & friends. We continue to extend all possible assistance in reparation of his mortal remains to India,” it added. The Indian mission assured that it is in close contact with Khan’s family and friends, extending full support in repatriating his mortal remains to India.
On Friday, New York City fire officials responded shortly after 2 p.m. to a fire that began on the third floor of a six-story residential building at 2 St. Nicholas Place in Harlem, with flames and heavy smoke blowing into the hallway and trapping residents above, Joseph Pfeifer, the Fire Department’s first deputy commissioner said.
When escaping a fire, remember to close the door to prevent smoke & fire from spreading. Chief of Dept. describes what #FDNY firefighters encountered at Friday’s fatal 2-alarm at 2 St. Nicholas Pl. FFs reached the 3rd floor where the fire originated & where a door was left open. pic.twitter.com/o0tdcFmKcP— FDNY (@FDNY) February 24, 2024
Upon arrival, officials found numerous residents on the building’s fire escapes. There were also people trapped, hanging off windows on the fifth floor, Chief of Department John Hodgens said. Three firefighters were lowered by rope from the roof to rescue them. “We usually have one of these a year or two. This was three at one fire,” Hodgens said. “A very heroic action, and all of those people unfortunately are in critical condition, but they’re at the hospital.”
(With agency inputs)
