A tragic fire at St. Nicholas Place in Harlem, New York, claimed the life of a 27-year-old Indian man, identified as Fazil Khan. The Indian Consulate in New York released a statement extending condolences and confirming their engagement with Khan’s family and friends. Their statement, as reported on X, expressed deep sorrow over Khan’s demise and assured continued support in repatriating his remains to India.
Fazil Khan, an alumnus of Columbia Journalism School, worked as a data journalist at The Hechinger Report, a media outlet in New York focusing on educational innovation and inequality. Khan had relocated to New York in 2020 to pursue his graduate studies at Columbia University, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The Hechinger Report also mourned Khan’s loss, describing him as a “great colleague and a wonderful person” in their statement following the tragic incident. They expressed profound sadness over his passing and extended sympathies to his family.
According to the Indian Express, the New York City Fire Department attributed the fire’s cause to a lithium-ion battery, terming it “devastating.” Firefighters responded to the scene at approximately 2:14 pm on Feb 23, finding several individuals on the fire escape and others hanging out of windows on the fifth floor. A total of 18 individuals were identified as patients, with four in critical condition. The incident remains under investigation.
The FDNY detailed the rescue efforts, indicating that three firefighters utilized a lifesaving rope to reach victims trapped on the fifth floor, successfully evacuating them. Among the 18 patients, 12 were transported for medical attention, with four in critical condition. Tragically, one individual succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The fire’s cause is still being investigated, as noted in the FDNY’s post on X.
