Indian journalist dies after being hit by e-bike battery in New York apartment

A 27-year-old Indian man died on Friday in a massive fire in an apartment building in Harlem, New York. The Indian Embassy in New York has identified him as Fazil Khan and says it is in touch with family and friends of the deceased.

"Saddened to learn about the death of 27-year-old Indian national Fazil Khan in an unfortunate fire incident at an apartment building in Harlem, New York," the Indian Embassy in New York wrote in a post on We are in touch with friends. We will continue to provide all possible assistance to India for compensation for his mortal remains."

— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) February 25, 2024

Fazil Khan, an alumnus of Columbia Journalism School, was working with The Hechinger Report (a nonprofit newsroom reporting on inequality and innovation in education). It is based at Teachers College, Columbia University.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Fazil Khan started his career as a copyeditor at Business Standard in 2018 and as a correspondent at CNN-News18 in Delhi before moving to New York in 2020 to pursue a graduate degree from Columbia University.

According to media reports, the local fire department has said that a lithium battery caused this massive fire in a Harlem apartment on Friday. 17 others were injured in the fire and dozens of people were displaced, who were rescued in a dramatic rope rescue. Talking about the incident, resident Angie Ratchford said, "The fire was at the top and people were jumping from the windows." Akil Jones, who lives in the apartment, said he and his father went out with only their phones and keys to protect themselves.

Residents of the St. Nicholas Place apartment building were forced to jump and use fire escapes to save their lives. Let us tell you that 18 people have been rescued in the incident. According to CBC News report, 12 of these people are admitted in the local hospital, while the condition of 4 is said to be very serious.

Following the incident, a 'complete evacuation' order has been issued by the Buildings Department and the Red Cross is assisting dozens of people with temporary accommodation in a nearby school.

Fire Department Chief John Hodgens said, "The door of an apartment on the third floor was open, where there was a fire. The fire was so severe that its flames were coming out and blocking the path leading to the stairs."