Indian National, 27, Perishes In Tragic Harlem Apartment Fire in New York; Government Offers “Every Possible” Assistance

Following the unfortunate loss of 27-year-old Indian citizen Fazil Khan in a fire incident at an apartment building in Harlem, the Indian Mission in New York on Sunday extended condolences.

A lithium-ion battery caused the fire at the apartment building in New York City, which wounded 17 more people, according to fire authorities on Saturday. The Indian Mission in New York posted on X that it was “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 family and friends of the late Mr. Fazil Khan are in contact with the Indian mission in New York.” We are still offering India all the support we can to make up for the loss of his mortal remains,” the statement said. The Indian embassy said that it is keeping in constant communication with Khan’s friends and family and that it would do all in its power to help get his mortal remains back to India.

The two-alarm fire on Friday began on the third level of a six-story structure in Harlem at around 2:00 pm. The first deputy commissioner of the Fire Department, Joseph Pfeifer, said that thick smoke and flames had trapped inhabitants in the hallway above.

Officials discovered a large number of occupants on the building’s fire escapes when they arrived. Additionally, individuals were stuck and dangling from fifth-floor windows, according to Chief of Department John Hodgens. To save them, a rope was used to drop three firemen from the roof. “These normally happen once per year or twice. Three people were at one fire, according to Hodgens. “That was a very brave deed, and all of those people are at the hospital but sadly in critical condition.”