A fire engulfed a residential building in the Bronx, devastating many and killing multiple people, in early Saturday afternoon when it raged through the structure. New York City officials have determined that the blaze which spewed thick black smoke from the roof of the structure across the borough’s skyline was most likely a result of a deadly gas explosion.
Emergency calls began to pour into dispatchers around 1:30 PM, saying their building’s upper floors opened in a thunderous blast and then a rapid fire spread quickly across the multi-story structure.
A Scene of Heroism and Horror
More than 200 FDNY members were on duty at the five-alarm fire. Eyewitness video captured at the scene shows residents leaning out of smoke-filled windows in their panic and urging for help as firefighters used ladder trucks to reach those trapped on higher floors. “The force of the explosion blew out windows on three floors,” FDNY Commissioner said during a preliminary press briefing. “Our members arrived minutes later to discover a fire condition that was very heavy and a building that was in a state of panic. We are now stabilizing the structure and performing a primary search of all the apartments.”
Initial information: I'm told that at least two people were killed and several others suffered critical injuries from the reported gas explosion and fire at high-rise building in The Bronx, New York. Rescue operations continue. https://t.co/RF2HNB9IS3
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) January 24, 2026
Casualties and Displacement
While the precise death toll is still under investigation as search teams sift through the charred remains of the building, city officials have confirmed multiple deaths, including children. At least 15 others have been taken to local hospitals, and several are in critical condition from severe burns and smoke inhalation.
The American Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter within a nearby school for the hundreds of people displaced by the fire. Many left their homes with only the clothes on their backs, leaving behind their pets and other belongings as the flames moved with “unprecedented speed” through the hallways.
The Investigation: Suspected Gas Leak
While its official cause remains to be determined, early accounts from Con Edison and the city's fire marshal point to a gas source. Residents on the floors where the fire began reportedly complained of a faint smell of gas in the days before the disaster. “If there were reports of gas leaks which went unaddressed there will be complete accountability,” said the Mayor, who visited the site to offer help to families mourning their loved ones. “We have focused on life safety for now and supporting people who have lost everything.”
High-Rise Safety Concerns
This tragedy has brought once again the spotlight on New York City’s aging high-rise infrastructure. Fire safety specialists are also investigating if the building’s self-closing doors and smoke alarm systems worked properly. In a high-rise blaze, for instance, the “stack effect” can frequently pull smoke up through stairwells, turning exit points into death traps if safety controls do not work.
As darkness descends across the Bronx, fire crews are on the scene to clear hot spots and to ensure the structural integrity of the building. For a city all too familiar with apartment tragedies, today is yet another somber chapter in the history of the Bronx.
