By JPB Fellow Diana Hernandez
The fire that killed 17 New Yorkers in the Bronx on Jan. 9 was utterly heart-wrenching. Based on what we know now, three discrete factors contributed to this tragedy: a continuously running space heater that malfunctioned, two doors that did not self-close, and smoke detectors that seem to have gone off so frequently that residents learned to ignore the false alarms. Focusing on these issues alone belies the larger problem: the Bronx needs adequate heat and better housing. Read more.