An Indian man, 27-year-old journalist Fazil Khan, tragically lost his life in a devastating apartment fire at the St. Nicholas Place building in Harlem, New York. The fire, which injured 17 others, was caused by a lithium-ion battery
The Indian Embassy in New York expressed deep sorrow upon learning about the tragic demise of 27-year-old Indian national, Mr. Fazil Khan, in a devastating fire incident at an apartment building in Harlem, NY. The embassy is actively coordinating with Mr. Fazil Khan’s family and friends, providing all necessary support for the repatriation of his mortal remains to India.
Khan, an alumnus of the Columbia Journalism School, dedicated his career to journalism and data reporting. As a data journalist with The Hechinger Report, he delved into issues of inequality and innovation in education. His work was based at Teachers College, Columbia University.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Fazil Khan embarked on his professional journey as a copy editor at Business Standard in 2018. Subsequently, he served as a correspondent at CNN-News18 in Delhi. In 2020, Khan relocated to New York to pursue his graduate degree from Columbia University
The intense fire forced daring rescues from the apartment. Several individuals resorted to jumping to safety, while others utilized the fire escape to escape the perilous situation.
A local said of the incident, “The fire was at the top and people were jumping out of the windows.” One resident said his father was forced to leave the building with just his keys and phone.
A total of 18 individuals were successfully rescued from the fire. Among them, 12 were promptly taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Unfortunately, four people are still in critical condition, according to the latest reports.
The Department of Buildings swiftly issued a full vacate order in response to the devastating fire. Temporary housing is now being arranged by the Red Cross for those impacted, with a nearby school serving as a refuge during this difficult time.
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