A gas explosion triggered a major fire in a 17-storey residential building in New York City’s Bronx early Saturday, killing one person and injuring 14 others, as freezing temperatures added to the emergency response challenges. Firefighters were called to the building shortly before 12.30 am after reports of a gas odour on the 15th and 16th floors. While crews were investigating, an explosion occurred, causing fires on the 16th and 17th floors and severe structural damage to around a dozen apartments.
Authorities said one person died at the scene. Another victim remains in critical condition, five sustained serious injuries, and eight suffered minor injuries. More than 200 fire and emergency personnel were deployed. Some firefighters were briefly trapped in an elevator during the incident. All utilities in the building were shut down, and residents from all 148 apartments were evacuated. A temporary reception centre was set up at a nearby school, with the American Red Cross assisting displaced families.

Officials confirmed the building had recently undergone renovations and that work on the natural gas system had been completed and inspected. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. City leaders described the incident as a tragic reminder of the risks associated with aging residential infrastructure.

The incident has renewed concerns globally, especially after recent high-rise fire accident in China. For countries like India, where urban areas are rapidly filling with high-rise apartments, the New York incident raises serious questions. If such an explosion can occur in a city with strict safety regulations and advanced emergency response systems, the potential impact in densely populated Indian cities could be far more severe. Safety checks, gas systems, and fire preparedness in high-rise buildings are increasingly being seen as a critical warning issue rather than a routine formality.