Fatal Upper West Side Fire: Health Aide Dies, Resident Critical

Deadly Apartment Fire on Upper West Side

• 💔 A devastating fire in a high-rise building on Manhattan's Upper West Side has resulted in one fatality.
• 📍 The fire occurred at The Verie apartment building, located at 175 West 71st Street, near Amsterdam Avenue.

Victims and Injuries

• 👩‍⚕️ The victims were identified as a 77-year-old resident and her 41-year-old health aide.
• 😔 The 41-year-old health aide was transported to Mount Sinai West hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
• 🏥 The 77-year-old resident is in critical condition at New York Presbyterian Hospital Cornell Burn Unit, suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.
• 🛀 Both women were found inside the apartment's bathroom, possibly seeking shelter from the intense flames.

Fire Details and Investigation

• 🔥 The fire call came in around 3:13 AM, with flames seen shooting out of the 14th-floor apartment.
• ⚡ The fire appears to be electrical in origin, possibly starting with a kitchen appliance.
• 🚒 Nearly 80 firefighters responded to the scene to combat the blaze.
• 🔍 Fire Marshals are currently on scene investigating the exact cause of the fire.
• 🏠 The fire was reportedly contained to the single apartment where it originated.

Resident Accounts

• 💨 One resident on the seventh floor reported seeing embers falling from the sky and bouncing off their air conditioning unit.
• 🚪 Another resident on the 12th floor heard footsteps and fire engines before opening their door to see the officials.