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January 11, 2022

Safety Doors Failed at Bronx Apartment Where Fire Killed 17
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Here in New York, the death toll in Sunday's high-rise apartment fire in
the Bronx has been revised downward to 17. Investigators say the fire
began when an electric space heater malfunctioned. Victims suffered from
severe smoke inhalation after a pair of open doors allowed smoke to
spread throughout the 19-story building. City records show tenants of
the Twin Parks tower had complained about a lack of heat in the building
and doors that didn't close automatically, as required by law. The
building did not have fire escapes or sprinklers, and many people became
trapped in upper floors where self-closing doors were supposed to have
blocked toxic smoke and flames from spreading.


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