Bronx Fire Updates: Death Toll Could Still Rise, Mayor Adams Says

This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.

NEW YORK CITY — The city's deadliest blaze in three decades could exact an even greater toll.

Many residents who escaped or were rescued from a devastating five-alarm fire in a Bronx building Sunday remained in critical condition the following morning, Mayor Eric Adams said.

“We pray to God that they’ll be able to pull through," he said.

Adams later Monday provided a revised number — 17 — of people who lost their lives in the fire. Eight of those victims were children, he said.

“Not only did this fire leave a burning pain in the hearts of the people in this community, but it has left a burning pain in the children and the teachers and the faculties of this school,” he said after visiting a local school where some of the children were students.

FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said some victims were double-counted as they were transported to various hospitals.

“I guess it’s a bit of good news that the number isn’t 19, but 17, but don’t forget there are many fighting for their lives in the hospital who were transported, so this number could unfortunately increase again,” he said.

Dozens remain injured or hospitalized after the blaze, as of Monday morning. Adams said President Joe Biden gave him a call and offered to provide whatever support is necessary.

A malfunctioning electric space heater — plugged in to provide extra heat on a cold morning — is "certain" to have caused the deadly fire, Nigro said.

“The fire was contained to the hallway just outside this two-story apartment, but the smoke traveled throughout the building,” he said. “Smoke is what caused the death and the serious injuries.”

An open door allowed thick, choking smoke to spread through the entire building on East 181st Street in the Bronx, Nigro said. He said the door was designed to be self-closing, but apparently it did not work as intended.

"The door when it was fully opened stayed fully opened because it malfunctioned," he said.

"There may have been a maintenance issue with this door. And that is going to be part of the ... ongoing investigation,” Adams said on Good Morning America.

"FDNY urges New Yorkers to always close the door when escaping a fire," the fire department's Twitter account states. "Closing the door saves lives."

FDNY urges New Yorkers to always close the door when escaping a fire. Closing the door saves lives. See more #FDNYSmart tips to help keep you and your family safe at https://t.co/NpwdRdlElY pic.twitter.com/oFCjvbHwBQ
— FDNY (@FDNY) January 10, 2022

"It is our obligation to reinforce the concept of, 'close the door, close the door,'" Adams said. "But what we don't want to do is just to add more trauma on the family that was simply trying to escape a very dangerous and a very frightening experience.

"All of us make mistakes during crises."

Survivors and firefighters recounted scenes of stairwells filling with suffocating smoke, becoming dark and all-but-impassable.

Victims offered support

The fire's total impact is still being assessed by city officials.

Beyond Biden's pledge of help, Rep. Ritchie Torres and local elected officials said they'll look at legislation on electric heaters and fire safety.

In the immediate future, people who can't contact their loved ones who lived in the building can call 311 for help, officials said. And families harmed or impacted by the blaze will receive support from city services, they said.

"A reception center was set up today at MS 391 for those affected by the fire," the FDNY tweeted.

Updates from @calfarrell on today's tragic five-alarm fire in the #Bronx.🧵

NYC Emergency Management and its partner agencies are working together to assist to help the families impacted.

A reception center was set up today at MS 391 for those affected by the fire. pic.twitter.com/CEZhtJDoSF
— NYC Emergency Management (@nycemergencymgt) January 9, 2022

The Red Cross is offering emergency temporary shelter for victims, who can call 1-877-733-2767.

A GoFundMe raising relief funds for the families affected by the fire has raised nearly $400,000 as of Monday morning. The Gambian Youth Organization — which had many members affected by the fire — will distribute the funds.

More resources to help families and victims can be found here.

Building owners have Adams tie

As Adams spoke about the "horrific" fire, scrutiny turned to the building's owners — one of whom has a connection to the new mayor.

Rick Gropper, who was part of Adams' transition team for housing issues, is listed as the head officer for the building, according to Housing Preservation and Development records. Gropper co-founded Camber Property Group, a company with a wide array of affordable housing offerings which bought the building, the New York Times first reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.