Desperate New Yorkers hang out of windows to escape fire: One dead and four critical after blaze tore through Harlem apartment

One person is dead and at least four are in critical condition in an apartment building fire in Harlem that left residents hanging from windows to escape the flames.

The fire started shortly after 2 p.m. Friday on the third floor of a six-story building at 2 St. Nicholas Pl. in Harlem.

Residents of the building were leaning out of their windows and fire escapes to escape the fire that was spreading throughout the apartment building.

So far one person has been declared dead. Four other people are in critical condition and at least six people were injured in the fire.

The victims have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

It has not yet been revealed what caused the fire.

According to witnesses, a man allegedly dangled from the building before falling to the ground.

‘They opened the windows and they were hanging on the ledge. One of them just fell. He fell to the ground. “This is crazy,” said Michelle Paradis, who lives in the building.

‘Smoke was coming out of the last apartment behind. It was a horrible experience. People were escaping from their apartments down all the fire escapes. “It was a horrible experience,” Paradis said. New York Daily News.

Another man was forced to go through closed doors to access a fire escape.

“I was taking a nap and the fire alarm went off, and then two more,” said Amar Bhatia, 21.

“People in the hallway were yelling ‘Help me!'” Bhatia said. ‘“I thought about jumping, but thank God we got out.”

Firefighters accessed the roof of the apartment building and threw ropes to rescue people hanging from windows and fire escapes.

This story is developing, check back for updates.