Page 7 - Rick Gropper News Today

Investigators sought answers Monday for why safety doors failed to close when fire broke out in a New York high-rise, allowing thick smoke to rise through the tower and kill 17 people, including eight children, in the city's deadliest blaze in more than three decades.

City inspectors cited the Bronx high-rise at least six times between 2013 and 2019 for failing to maintain self-closing doors in the complex. These citations were issued under prior ownership, records show.

NEW YORK: Investigators sought answers Monday for why safety doors failed to close when fire broke out in a New York high-rise, allowing thick smoke to rise through the tower and kill 17 people, including eight children, in the city’s deadliest blaze in more than three decades. A malfunctioning electric space heater apparently started the fire Sunday in the 19-story building

Investigators are trying to determine why safety doors failed to close in a New York City high-rise when a deadly fire broke out

The stairs were the only method of escape in a building that's too tall for fire escapes.

The stairs were the only method of escape in a building that's too tall for fire escapes.

The stairs were the only method of escape in a building that's too tall for fire escapes.

The stairs were the only method of escape in a building that's too tall for fire escapes.

Yesbely Fernandez captured video as she and her loved ones fled the building after the fire broke out. They walked down a stairwell covered in smoke, fire hoses and standing water.

The stairs were the only method of escape in a building that's too tall for fire escapes.