Apartment Fires in New York City
Firefighters responded to a fire on the 14th floor of a residential tower at 175 East 96th Street in New York City on May 26, 2026, which was brought under control in approximately 40 minutes with no reported injuries. As of May 27, 2026, the cause of this fire is under investigation. This incident follows a series of significant apartment fires in New York City in April and May 2026, including a May 23 fire in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, that killed two people and injured two others, and a May 4 fire in Upper Manhattan that resulted in three deaths and 14 injuries. Other notable incidents include a five-alarm fire on Riverdale Avenue on April 30, injuring several firefighters, and an April 21 Bronx fire that killed two people and injured 13, including five firefighters.
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May 2026 — 5 developments
Firefighters responded to a fire on the 14th floor of a residential tower at 175 East 96th Street on May 26, 2026.
Firefighters responded to a fire on the 14th floor of a residential tower at 175 East 96th Street on May 26, 2026. The blaze was brought under control in approximately 40 minutes, with no reported injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The New York City Fire Department responded to a high-rise electrical transformer fire in Midtown Manhattan on May 26, 2026, which was brought under control after several hours.
The New York City Fire Department responded to a high-rise electrical transformer fire in Midtown Manhattan on May 26, 2026, which was brought under control after several hours. This incident follows a devastating fire and explosions at a Staten Island shipyard on May 22, 2026, which caused one fatality and 36 injuries.
Two people died and two others were hospitalized with serious injuries in an East Flatbush, Brooklyn apartment building fire on May 23, 2026.
Two people died and two others were hospitalized with serious injuries in an East Flatbush, Brooklyn apartment building fire on May 23, 2026. The fire department responded to the second floor of the three-story building, and the blaze quickly spread to the top floor and roof.
Six people were injured in a fire at the Skyview apartment complex in Riverdale on May 21, 2026, originating on the eighth floor.
Six people were injured in a fire at the Skyview apartment complex in Riverdale on May 21, 2026, originating on the eighth floor. Separately, an all-hands fire in the Bronx on May 11, 2026, led to three children being rescued in critical condition and a total of eight injuries. On May 4, 2026, three people died and 14 were injured in an Upper Manhattan apartment building fire.
A four-alarm fire broke out in a Bronx apartment building, with over 200 firefighters responding to the blaze that spread across multiple apartments.
A four-alarm fire broke out in a Bronx apartment building, with over 200 firefighters responding to the blaze that spread across multiple apartments. Separately, a three-alarm fire in an Upper Manhattan apartment building resulted in three fatalities and 14 injuries, with the cause under investigation.
April 2026 — 8 developments
A five-alarm fire tore through a 16-story building on Riverdale Avenue on April 30, 2026, forcing families to evacuate.
A five-alarm fire tore through a 16-story building on Riverdale Avenue on April 30, 2026, forcing families to evacuate. The blaze, believed to have originated on a sixth-floor balcony, rapidly ascended through other balconies and windows, injuring several firefighters. Investigations into the cause are ongoing.
Three firefighters sustained minor injuries battling a blaze in a 16-story apartment building on Park Avenue on April 27, 2026.
Three firefighters sustained minor injuries battling a blaze in a 16-story apartment building on Park Avenue on April 27, 2026. Approximately 120 firefighters responded and extinguished the fire within an hour. The cause of the fire, which started in a vacant apartment, is under investigation.
The FDNY has issued a public service announcement emphasizing the importance of closing doors during a fire to help contain its spread.
The FDNY has issued a public service announcement emphasizing the importance of closing doors during a fire to help contain its spread. This advisory follows a deadly Bronx apartment fire on April 21, 2026, where open doors contributed to the rapid engulfment of the structure by smoke and flames.
A five-alarm fire erupted in a Bronx building on April 21, 2026, killing two people and injuring thirteen, including five firefighters.
A five-alarm fire erupted in a Bronx building on April 21, 2026, killing two people and injuring thirteen, including five firefighters. The blaze caused extensive structural damage, leading to the collapse of the roof and a stairwell. Over 270 emergency personnel battled the inferno, and the Red Cross established a support center for the approximately 80 displaced residents.
A fire in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood on April 14, 2026, led to two fatalities and displaced multiple families.
A fire in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood on April 14, 2026, led to two fatalities and displaced multiple families. An 80-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man died after being rescued from the burning building, and a firefighter was hospitalized in stable condition.
Two firefighters sustained minor injuries battling a three-alarm fire in a vacant Chelsea building on April 12, 2026.
Two firefighters sustained minor injuries battling a three-alarm fire in a vacant Chelsea building on April 12, 2026. The fire spread through multiple floors and the roof of the Seventh Avenue building. Separately, a fire on the roof of a Midtown Manhattan high-rise on March 17, 2026, injured a police officer and a medic.
Firefighters responded to a high-rise fire in a Manhattan restaurant's duct work on April 7, 2026, which caused heavy smoke on upper floors.
Firefighters responded to a high-rise fire in a Manhattan restaurant's duct work on April 7, 2026, which caused heavy smoke on upper floors. This incident follows three separate fires classified as arson in garbage cans on the fourth floor of Broadway Hall on April 6, 2026, which are under investigation.
Fire officials provided an update on a three-alarm fire in Queens that began on March 31, 2026, and was brought under control by April 1, 2026.
Fire officials provided an update on a three-alarm fire in Queens that began on March 31, 2026, and was brought under control by April 1, 2026.
March 2026 — 5 developments
A fire on the 9th floor of a residential building on the Upper West Side on March 29, 2026, resulted in minor injuries for four residents, with one requiring hospitalization.
A fire on the 9th floor of a residential building on the Upper West Side on March 29, 2026, resulted in minor injuries for four residents, with one requiring hospitalization. Approximately 120 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the incident.
A five-alarm fire erupted in a Bronx apartment building on March 26, 2026, resulting in one fatality…
A five-alarm fire erupted in a Bronx apartment building on March 26, 2026, resulting in one fatality and minor injuries to several others, including six firefighters and two civilians. Over 280 firefighters responded to the blaze, which was brought under control hours later. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
New York City firefighters battled a large fire on the roof of a Midtown Manhattan high-rise on March 17, 2026.
New York City firefighters battled a large fire on the roof of a Midtown Manhattan high-rise on March 17, 2026. The blaze, which occurred near the St. Patrick's Day Parade route, took approximately 90 minutes to control. Construction workers were evacuated, and three people, including an EMS lieutenant and a police officer, were injured.
A significant fire erupted at a 28-story commercial building in Midtown Manhattan on March 16, 2026, near the St.
A significant fire erupted at a 28-story commercial building in Midtown Manhattan on March 16, 2026, near the St. Patrick's Day Parade route. Over 250 firefighters responded to the blaze, which produced thick black smoke and originated on the rooftop. No injuries were reported in this incident.
A fire on the Upper East Side on March 4, 2026, injured one firefighter.
A fire on the Upper East Side on March 4, 2026, injured one firefighter. On March 3, 2026, a fire in Co-op City displaced three families and injured five people, including one firefighter. Both fires are under investigation.
February 2026 — 3 developments
Five firefighters were injured and a 77-year-old resident was hospitalized following a high-rise fire on Madison Street in Lower Manhattan on February 23, 2026.
Five firefighters were injured and a 77-year-old resident was hospitalized following a high-rise fire on Madison Street in Lower Manhattan on February 23, 2026. The extent of the damage and the cause of the fire are under investigation.
Two elderly people were hospitalized after a separate 4-alarm fire erupted in a 5-story mixed-use building in the Bronx early Monday morning at Grand Concourse and 167th Street.
Two elderly people were hospitalized after a separate 4-alarm fire erupted in a 5-story mixed-use building in the Bronx early Monday morning at Grand Concourse and 167th Street. Over 200 fire and EMS personnel responded to the blaze.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) responded to a major fire in a Manhattan apartment building…
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) responded to a major fire in a Manhattan apartment building reported at approximately 8:49 am, with an initial response involving a 3-alarm fire. Further details on the extent of the fire or any casualties were not immediately available.
January 2026 — 4 developments
A man has been arrested in connection with the fatal gas explosion and four-alarm fire that occurred in a Bronx NYCHA complex on January 24, 2026.
A man has been arrested in connection with the fatal gas explosion and four-alarm fire that occurred in a Bronx NYCHA complex on January 24, 2026.
The gas explosion and fire occurred at the Boston Secor Houses NYCHA complex located at 3485 Bivona Street, in a building that was undergoing renovations.
The gas explosion and fire occurred at the Boston Secor Houses NYCHA complex located at 3485 Bivona Street, in a building that was undergoing renovations.
Firefighters were investigating reports of a gas odor on the 15th and 16th floors of the Bronx high-rise when the explosion occurred, briefly trapping some in an elevator.
Firefighters were investigating reports of a gas odor on the 15th and 16th floors of the Bronx high-rise when the explosion occurred, briefly trapping some in an elevator. The blast caused severe structural damage to six apartments and ignited fires in ten apartments on the 16th and 17th floors.
A gas explosion and subsequent four-alarm fire occurred in a high-rise apartment building in the Bronx on January 24, 2026, resulting in one fatality and 15 injuries.
A gas explosion and subsequent four-alarm fire occurred in a high-rise apartment building in the Bronx on January 24, 2026, resulting in one fatality and 15 injuries. Over 200 firefighters responded to the blaze, which displaced 175 people.
January 2025 — 1 developments
The Bronx community held a remembrance ceremony, laying a wreath in the colors of the Gambian flag, to honor the 17 victims on the third anniversary of the fire.
The Bronx community held a remembrance ceremony, laying a wreath in the colors of the Gambian flag, to honor the 17 victims on the third anniversary of the fire. The incident is remembered as one of the city's deadliest, and the faulty self-closing doors that contributed to the smoke spread triggered new safety laws.
November 2024 — 1 developments
A fire broke out on the roof of a 44-story luxury building in Manhattan's Hudson Yards, sending smoke billowing across the area.
A fire broke out on the roof of a 44-story luxury building in Manhattan's Hudson Yards, sending smoke billowing across the area. Approximately 80 firefighters responded, and no injuries were reported. The cause of this fire remains unclear.
July 2024 — 2 developments
A fire in Inwood, Manhattan, resulted in three fatalities and multiple injuries.
A fire in Inwood, Manhattan, resulted in three fatalities and multiple injuries. Over 190 fire and EMS personnel responded to the three-alarm blaze in a six-story apartment building. Five individuals were hospitalized in severe condition, and one firefighter sustained minor injuries.
A fire in an Inwood, Manhattan apartment building on July 22, 2024, resulted in three fatalities and 14 injuries, with five in critical condition.
A fire in an Inwood, Manhattan apartment building on July 22, 2024, resulted in three fatalities and 14 injuries, with five in critical condition. Fire officials reiterated the importance of closing doors to limit fire spread. Separately, a fire in a Midtown Manhattan high-rise in November 2022, caused by a faulty lithium-ion battery, injured 38 people.
January 2023 — 1 developments
A devastating fire ripped through a Bronx apartment building on January 9, 2023, killing at least 17 people and injuring more than 60.
A devastating fire ripped through a Bronx apartment building on January 9, 2023, killing at least 17 people and injuring more than 60. The blaze, believed to have started from a space heater, spread rapidly through the 19-story building. Many victims suffered from severe smoke inhalation, and the fire is considered one of the deadliest in New York City in decades.
November 2022 — 1 developments
A separate high-rise apartment fire in Manhattan injured at least 38 people.
A separate high-rise apartment fire in Manhattan injured at least 38 people. The FDNY determined the cause to be a lithium-ion battery connected to a micro-mobility device, highlighting another emerging fire safety concern in NYC buildings.
January 2022 — 2 developments
FDNY fire marshals officially determined that the fire was caused by an electric space heater that ignited a mattress after being left on for a prolonged period.
FDNY fire marshals officially determined that the fire was caused by an electric space heater that ignited a mattress after being left on for a prolonged period. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission began investigating if the space heater itself malfunctioned.
The fire resulted in 17 fatalities, including eight children, making it the deadliest fire in New York City since 1990.
The fire resulted in 17 fatalities, including eight children, making it the deadliest fire in New York City since 1990. All deaths were attributed to smoke inhalation. Additionally, 44 people were injured, with 32 suffering life-threatening conditions.