FDNY PSA Reminds New Yorkers: Close Door When Escaping
Summary
The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) on April 24, 2026 released a Public Service Announcement (PSA) urging New Yorkers to always close the door behind them when escaping a fire. The PSA was issued following an investigation into an April 21, 2026 fire at 660 East 187 Street in the Bronx that killed two people and injured firefighters and civilians. FDNY Fire Marshals determined that multiple doors were left open during the escape, allowing smoke and flames to spread throughout the building's hallways, staircase, and every floor. The PSA references a 2017 Bronx fire at 2363 Prospect Avenue that killed 13 people where the door to the fire apartment was also left open.
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What changed
FDNY published a public safety announcement on April 24, 2026, reminding New Yorkers of the critical importance of closing doors when escaping fires. The PSA follows FDNY Fire Marshals' investigation into an April 21, 2026 fire at 660 East 187 Street in the Bronx, which killed two people and injured multiple occupants and firefighters. Investigators found that open doors allowed fire and smoke to spread rapidly through hallways, staircases, and all floors of the building. The PSA does not create any regulatory obligations or compliance requirements.
For building owners, landlords, and residents in New York City, this PSA reinforces fire safety best practices. While the announcement carries no legal mandates, it highlights the life-saving practice of closing doors during fire emergencies—a measure that could prevent the rapid spread of smoke and flames that contributed to multiple casualties in this and a prior 2017 Bronx fire. Property managers may consider incorporating this guidance into tenant fire safety communications.
Archived snapshot
Apr 25, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
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The FDNY Releases PSA Reminding New Yorkers to Close the Door Following Deadly Bronx Fire
April 24, 2026
The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Friday released a Public Service Announcement (PSA) reminding New Yorkers to always close the door behind them in the event of a fire.
"Leaving a door open while escaping a fire can cause it to grow and spread rapidly throughout a building," said FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore. "This can create a dangerous situation for occupants and responding FDNY members. The message is simple: 'Close the Door.'"
On April 21, 2026, the FDNY responded to a fire at 660 East 187 Street in the Bronx. FDNY companies arrived in a little over three minutes and found heavy smoke and fire on all floors of the building. The ongoing investigation by FDNY Fire Marshals has revealed that multiple doors, including the door to the apartment Fire Marshals believe the fire started in, were left open. This allowed smoke and flames to spread throughout the hallways, staircase, and to every floor of the building. Occupants on multiple floors were trapped and evacuated onto fire escapes and the roof. Several occupants were rescued by responding FDNY Firefighters. Two people were killed and firefighters and civilians were injured.
Closing the door isolates fire and prevents smoke, heat, and flames from spreading to common areas of a multiple dwelling (like hallways and stairs). In a private home, closing a door to the fire area can prevent rapid spread of fire throughout the structure. Leaving the door open can be deadly: in 2017, 13 people were killed in a fire at 2363 Prospect Avenue in the Bronx after the door to the fire apartment was left open.
The PSA is available here.
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