Indian Journalist Killed In New York City Fire

Photo: LinkedIn

India-West News Desk

NEW YORK, NY – 27-year-old journalist Fazil Khan was killed in a deadly fire incident that ripped through a building in Harlem, here.

According to the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), a lithium-ion battery caused the deadly fire in the apartment building on February 23.

“Saddened to learn about the death of 27-year-old Indian national Mr. Fazil Khan in an unfortunate fire incident in Harlem, NY. India in New York is in touch with the late Mr. Fazil Khan’s family & friends. We continue to extend all possible assistance in reparation of his mortal remains to India,” the Indian Embassy in New York posted on X.

Residents of the St. Nicholas Place apartment building jumped out of windows and daring rescues were attempted in the blaze that injured 17.

Khan was working as a data journalist with The Hechinger Report – a nonprofit newsroom reporting on inequality and innovation in education.

The Hechinger Report in a statement said, “We learned Saturday that The Hechinger Report’s data reporter Fazil Khan died in a fire in the New York City building where he lived. We are devastated by the loss of such a great colleague and wonderful person, and our hearts go out to his family. He will be dearly missed.”

Khan worked as a correspondent at CNN-News18 in Delhi before moving to New York in 2020 to study at Columbia University where he got his graduate degree.

Reportedly, “On the third floor, one of the apartment doors was left open where the fire was. The fire was so intense, if you could imagine, flames coming out that door and blocking off the stairwell,” FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens said.

According to the FDNY, in 2023, lithium-ion batteries caused 267 fires, 150 injuries and 18 deaths in the city.

As of Monday, there have been 24 lithium-ion battery fire investigations and eight injuries so far this year, as reported by CBS News.