Indian investigative journalist killed in New York fire

An Indian investigative journalist, Fazil Khan, dies in a building fire in New York City. Fire caused by a lithium-ion battery injured 17 others. Khan, a reporter for Hechinger Report, was seriously injured and pronounced dead at the hospital.

The tragic incident occurred on Friday in the Harlem section of New York City, where firefighters made heroic efforts to save trapped residents. Khan, a talented journalist and graduate of Columbia University, was praised by colleagues and the Indian Consulate-General, who are working on repatriating his remains to India.

Hechinger Report, where Khan worked as a data reporter, expressed their devastation over his loss, saying he will be dearly missed. The Investigative Reporters and Editors organisation also mourned his death, describing him as a wonderful and talented member of their community.

Despite working for Business Standard and CNN-News18 in India, Khan came to the US in 2020 to study at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. He later worked as an investigative fellow at the university before joining Hechinger Report.

The fire trapped residents in the six-storey building, with firefighters performing dramatic rescues using ropes to reach those hanging out of windows. Khan’s LinkedIn profile details his journalistic career before his untimely death in the fire, which was caused by a lithium-ion battery.