Deadly Bronx Blaze Spurs New Fire Safety Protocol, Mayor Says

NEW YORK, NY — An executive order spurred by the fire that killed 17 people in the Bronx will beef up fire safety protocol in the city, according to Mayor Eric Adams.

The order, signed by the mayor on Sunday, aims to better identify fire safety violations while educating New Yorkers about fire safety, the mayor said.

It comes two months after the Bronx fire — caused by a malfunctioning space heater — became the city's deadliest blaze in three decades.

“We must work towards equipping every New Yorker and every building in this city with the tools to avoid an unspeakable tragedy like the one we saw two months ago,” Adams said. "Today’s actions are an essential step towards the goal of preventing this kind of tragedy from ever occurring again.”

Under Sunday's executive order, the city's fire department and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development will share more information about buildings found with fire safety violations, including making sure a Fire Safety Notice is posted on apartment doors, according to the mayor's office.

Fire officials will use HPD's building records to start inspecting buildings that saw a large number of violations since January 2021 more frequently, officials said.

The two city agencies will also launch a fire safety campaign to teach New Yorkers about smoke detectors, self-closing doors, stove knob covers and what to do in the event of a fire. The campaign will include visits to the city's public schools and reminders to building owners about fire safety rules, officials said.

All victims of the Bronx fire — including eight children — died from smoke inhalation after a self-closing door failed to close and the entire East 181st Street building filled with smoke, fire officials have said.

The city is also working on fire safety legislation in the City Council, including a bill that would retrofit sprinklers and an increase to fines for landlords who falsely report fixing self-closing doors.