New York: A fire accident in high rise apartment building in New York City on Sunday killed 19 people, including nine children and dozens were injured said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Speaking to the media persons he said that it is one of America’s worst residential fires in recent memory.

We know that we have 19 people who are confirmed dead, as well as several others in critical condition and 63 people had been wounded, he said. Join me in praying for those we lost, especially the 9 innocent young lives that were cut short, he said in twitter.

The massive fire was caused by a portable electric heater, an official said. At least 200 firefighters responded to the blaze, which broke out just before 11:00 am (1600 GMT) on the second and third floors of a 19 story building on East 181^st Street, several blocks west of the Bronx Zoo.

Daniel Nigro, New York City Fire Department Commissioner said to the media persons that the marshals have determined through physical evidence and through first and accounts by the residents that this fire started in a bedroom in a portable electric heater.