Top photo via the Citizen app
--UPDATED BELOW--
The FDNY is responding to a fire this morning at 118 Avenue D in the Jacob Riis Houses at Ninth Street, and there are early reports that one person has died.
As of 7:50 a.m., the fire, which started in an apartment on the fourth floor, appeared to be extinguished...
There is a massive FDNY response that stretches five blocks along Avenue D...
We'll update when more information becomes available. The FDNY responded to the fire at 7 a.m.
Updated noon
ABC 7 reports one fatality and seven injuries.
A 32-year-old man was discovered dead in the apartment by firefighters.A 46-year-old woman was taken to the Cornell burn unit at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in critical condition.A 13-year-old boy and an 18-year-old woman were treated for smoke inhalation and burns after they climbed down exterior poles of the building to safety.Four others suffered minor injuries.Multiple electric bicycles were found in the fire apartment, and fire marshals are looking into the possibility that they sparked the fire.
There is a GoFundMe for the residents of the apartment where the fire started. Details here.
Instagram user @jay_staccss has dramatic footage of the two teens desperately trying to escape the fire.
Updated 11/18
According to published reports, an e-bike battery caused the deadly fire. There were seven e-bikes in the apartment, per CBS 2.
“These batteries, when they’re damaged or overcharged, release hydrogen gas, explode violently,” said FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro.
NY1 has coverage here.