URGENT UPDATE: A devastating gas explosion rocked a high-rise apartment building in the Bronx, New York City, early Saturday morning, resulting in one death and 14 injuries, including critical cases. The blast occurred shortly before 12:30 a.m. and sent flames racing through the top floors of the 17-story structure as temperatures plummeted into the single digits.
Firefighters responded rapidly to the scene, where residents were seen desperately leaning out of windows, calling for help as smoke engulfed the upper levels. Fire Chief John Esposito reported that firefighters were investigating a gas odor on the 15th and 16th floors when the explosion struck, causing major structural damage to approximately a dozen apartments and igniting fires in 10 units on the 16th and 17th floors.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased, while one person remains in critical condition and five others have serious injuries. Eight additional residents are being treated for minor injuries, officials confirmed.
The building, previously managed by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), has been under private management since 2024. Currently, all utilities in the building have been shut down, and all 148 apartments have been evacuated. A reception center has been established at a nearby school for displaced residents, with the American Red Cross on-site to provide support.
“This has been a deeply frightening and devastating morning for them,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani in a press conference Saturday afternoon. “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 firefighters and emergency personnel worked tirelessly at the scene, battling the intense blaze in frigid temperatures. Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore noted that some firefighters were briefly trapped in an elevator during the chaos. “It was a very, very difficult night on a very cold night, which caused even more difficulty,” Bonsignore stated.
The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation. City officials revealed that the building had recently completed renovations, including work on its natural gas system, which had been inspected prior to the incident.
This tragedy raises alarms about the safety conditions within aging residential buildings across New York City, where nearly half a million residents live in properties managed by NYCHA. The organization has faced scrutiny over chronic maintenance issues, including structural deficiencies.
As the investigation unfolds, residents and officials alike remain on edge, seeking answers and support in the wake of this catastrophic event. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
