Tragedy struck in the heart of Harlem, New York, as a deadly apartment fire claimed the life of 27-year-old Fazil Khan, an Indian national and accomplished journalist. The fire, ignited by a lithium-ion battery, engulfed the St. Nicholas Place apartment building, forcing residents to make harrowing escapes, with some resorting to jumping out of windows to flee the inferno. In total, 17 individuals sustained injuries in the blaze.
The Indian Embassy in New York promptly identified the victim as Fazil Khan and extended their support to his family and friends. Mr. Khan, a graduate of the Columbia Journalism School, was working as a data journalist with The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit newsroom focusing on education inequality and innovation.
Having commenced his career as a copyeditor at Business Standard in 2018, Khan’s journalistic journey led him to CNN-News18 in Delhi before pursuing further studies in New York. His untimely demise has left colleagues at The Hechinger Report in mourning, with the organization expressing profound sorrow at the loss of their “great colleague and wonderful person.”
The fire not only claimed lives but also displaced numerous individuals, with dramatic rope rescues witnessed from the burning building. Residents recounted the horrific scene, with one local describing how people were forced to jump from windows to escape the flames. Another resident, recalling the chaos, mentioned fleeing the building with nothing but their phone and keys.
Amidst the devastation, the Department of Buildings issued a “full vacate” order for the affected premises, while the Red Cross stepped in to provide temporary housing to those displaced. City officials, alongside firefighters and inspectors, are diligently assessing the extent of the damage and conducting investigations into the fire’s cause.
According to data from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), lithium-ion batteries have been implicated in numerous fires, injuries, and fatalities in recent years. In 2023 alone, these batteries were linked to 267 fires, resulting in 150 injuries and 18 deaths. With 24 lithium-ion battery fire investigations already underway this year, authorities are grappling with the challenges posed by these hazardous incidents.
As investigations continue into the tragic fire that claimed the life of Fazil Khan and disrupted the lives of many others, the community mourns the loss of a talented journalist and extends support to those affected by this calamity.
Sources By Agencies
