Apartment Fire in Washington Heights Injures Two, One Critically; FDNY Investigating

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, Manhattan — An overnight apartment fire in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan injured two people early Monday, with one victim in critical condition, city officials confirmed.

According to Eyewitness News and official statements, the blaze broke out just after midnight on Monday in a residential building located at 566 West 162nd Street. Firefighters from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) responded to the alarm and brought the fire under control.

Emergency responders transported both injured residents to nearby hospitals. One was identified as a man believed to be in his 50s and was reported to be in critical condition after suffering serious injuries. A 78-year-old woman was also taken to a hospital and described as being in stable condition.

In addition to the injuries, at least two residents were displaced and left homeless as a result of the fire, fire officials said.

At the time of reporting, the cause of the fire remained under investigation by the FDNY’s fire marshal unit. Officials have not yet released details on what may have sparked the blaze or whether any safety violations or mechanical issues were identified.

Context: Fire Incidents in the Area

Apartment fires have periodically affected the Washington Heights community in recent years, prompting continued focus on fire safety and emergency response efforts:

• In November 2025, a five-alarm fire at a six-story apartment building in the neighborhood injured nine people, including three firefighters, and displaced multiple families.
• In early 2025, a separate incident involving a subway track fire near the Washington Heights station sent smoke into the 1 train station and resulted in at least 18 minor injuries.

These previous incidents underscore the ongoing challenges the FDNY faces in densely populated Manhattan neighborhoods, where fires can spread rapidly and require significant resources to contain.

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Sources:
• ABC7 New York (Eyewitness News): 2 injured, 1 critically in Washington Heights apartment fire — February 9, 2026.
• WABC Eyewitness News archives on local fires in Washington Heights.
• NY1 / Spectrum News: 18 injured by track smoke at Washington Heights subway station.