City’s deadliest blaze in three decades leaves 17 dead, including eight children, as doctors battle to save critically injured victims.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams revised the death toll from the devastating high-rise fire in the Bronx on Sunday, stating that 17 people had died—two fewer than initially reported. The fire, which is now confirmed as the city’s deadliest in three decades, claimed the lives of nine adults and eight children.

The blaze, caused by a malfunctioning electric space heater, primarily affected the building’s smoke, which spread rapidly through the apartment complex. While the flames only damaged a small portion of the building, the smoke quickly filled stairwells, trapping many residents who could not escape. As of Monday, emergency medical teams were working tirelessly to save several others who were critically injured, with at least 13 individuals reported in serious condition.

Firefighters found victims on every floor, many suffering from cardiac arrest or respiratory distress due to the thick smoke. Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro described the situation as a tragedy where many residents were unable to escape due to the overwhelming smoke.

Mayor Adams expressed hope for the recovery of the critically injured, saying, “We pray to God that they’ll be able to pull through.” Investigators confirmed that the fire started from an electric space heater inside one of the apartments.