Manhattan, NY (May 4, 2026) – A massive fire ripped through a six-story walk-up apartment building on Dyckman St in the Inwood neighborhood early Monday, May 4, killing three people and injuring at least 14 others.
The fire broke out on the first floor at around 12:30 a.m. and quickly spread upward, affecting eight apartments and consuming the building’s only stairway from the ground floor to the roof. Residents were seen desperately trying to escape via the fire escape as the flames grew. Nearly 200 emergency units responded to the scene.
Of the 14 people injured, five were listed in critical condition. Officials confirmed three fatalities. Around 100 residents have been displaced as a result of the fire.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and additional details are expected to be released as they become available. Our sincere condolences go out to the families of those who lost their lives, and we are thinking of all those affected as they recover.
What Should You Do During a Fire Emergency in a New York Apartment?
Knowing how to react during a fire can make a critical difference, especially in older New York City buildings with limited exits. If you hear a fire alarm or smell smoke, leave immediately and close doors behind you — this helps slow the spread of flames and smoke through hallways.
Never use an elevator during a fire. In buildings with a single stairway, like the Inwood building involved in Monday’s incident, smoke can fill that route quickly. If the stairway is blocked, stay in your apartment, seal the gap under the door with a towel or clothing, and signal for help from a window.
Once outside, move away from the building and never go back in for any reason. Call 911 immediately and wait for emergency units to arrive.
