In a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, theConsulate General of Indiaidentified the victim as Fazil Khan, 27.
“@IndiainNewYorkis in touch with late Mr. Fazil Khan’s family & friends," they wrote. “We continue to extend all possible assistance in repatriation of his mortal remains to India.”
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Khan was a data reporter forThe Hechinger Report, a nonprofit newsroom that covers education issues.
Fazil Khan.Fazil Khan/Facebook
Fazil Khan/Facebook
The New York City Fire Department told PEOPLE in an email that authorities were notified about the two-alarm blaze early Friday and arrived at the scene shortly afterward. The department added that the fire occurred on the third floor of a six-story multiple dwelling. In addition to the one fatality, there were 17 people injured who were taken to area hospitals.
“The fire was on the third floor and was blowing into the hallways, trapping people above. It was so dangerous, that firefighters had to make three rope rescues, which is something very unusual for us to do at one fire,” said FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Joseph Pfeifer at anews conferenceat the time of the incident.
At a hearing earlier this month, FDNY Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and other fire officials addressed the issue of lithium-ion batteries, which the FDNY said are nowthe leading cause of fires and fire deaths in New York City. “While this is happening in New York City and we’ve been leading the charge as New York City always does, this is a national problem,” Kavanagh said.
Another tribute came from Anjali Tsui, an editor and reporter for investigative newsroom The Examination.
“I was lucky to work with Fazil @THECITYNY’s Missing Them project,” Tsuiwroteon social media. “He was a brilliant and thoughtful journalist and a generous colleague. He and @lizdonov spent >1 year reporting on kids who lost a parent to COVID. Their stories led to a NY state bill to help grieving families.”
source: people.com
