• Source:ANI
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In a tragic incident, a 27-year-old Indian journalist identified as Fazil Khan died in a deadly fire incident in New York’s Harlem on Friday. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the Indian Embassy in New York said that they are in touch with his family and friends. 

A lithium-ion battery caused a deadly fire in a Harlem apartment complex on Friday, as reported by CBS News. Nearly 17 people sustained injuries and dozens of people were displaced due to the fire that witnessed dramatic rope rescues. 

"Saddened to learn about death of 27 years old Indian national Mr. Fazil Khan in an unfortunate fire incident in an apartment building in Harlem, NY. India in New York is in touch with 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. 

A total of 18 people were rescued and out of the 12 admitted to a local hospital, four remain in critical condition, CBS News reported. “On the third floor, one of the apartment doors was left open where the fire was. The fire was so intense, flames were coming out that door and blocking the stairwell," Fire Department Chief John Hodgens said.

Meanwhile, a resident Angie Ratchford narrated the tragedy and said, "The fire was at the top and people were jumping out of the windows." Akil Jones, a resident, said he and his father escaped the fire with only his phone and his keys.

Fazil Khan, a Columbia Journalism School alumnus, reportedly worked as a data journalist for The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit newsroom at Teachers College, Columbia University, that covers inequality and innovation in education. 

“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,” The Hechinger Report wrote on X (formerly Twitter).