The data

Data used for this visualization was collected from the US Census - NYC Demographics 2020 and the NYC Open Data Portal Fire Incident Dispatch data, Heat/Hot Water Complaints, and the Use of Supplemental Heat.

The visualization

This story points-style dashboard shows why the January 2022 Bronx fire was not an isolated incident, and how historically Black/Latinx residents in the Bronx have been disproportionately affected by residential fires. The dashboard also compares Black/Latinx residents and fires in the Bronx to heat and hot water complaints, which can lead to the use of a supplemental heat source such as a space heater. This visualization uses data from 2020, the most recent full year of available data for fires, and 2017, the most recent available data year for supplemental heat. 

The historical context

Fires have disproportionately affected Black and Latinx communities, especially in the Bronx borough of NYC. Fires do not start on their own, and the data shows how landlord negligence in public or low-income housing in primarily Black and Brown communities can lead to tragedies such as this one. Many articles published in the wake of this tragedy outline the experience of residents in buildings like the one at 333 E 181st, where heat and hot water complaints go ignored. 

The current implications

Advocates can use the tool to visually show the historical context contributing to the tragic January 2022 Bronx fire. This tragedy gained media attention, but Bronx residents have historically suffered from residential fires at a higher rate than other parts of NYC. Black and Latinx people live in the Bronx in greater concentrations than in other borough, and heat/hot water complaints and space heater usage are also concentrated in the Bronx. All of this data paints a picture of inequity: poorly maintained buildings, landlord negligence, and higher levels of fire hazard for people who live in the Bronx.

Data Deep-Dive

Key takeaways to guide analysis

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident.

6 of the top 10 NYC districts that experienced the most fires in 2020 are located in the Bronx. 9 of the 10 NYC community districts with the most fires in 2020 have majority Black/Latinx residents. The location of the Bronx fire at 333 E. 181st St., in the community district 205, had the most fires in 2020, totaling 481.

The Bronx has the highest heat/hot water complaints and concentrated space heater usage.

In 2020, residents in the Bronx lodged 58,857 heat/hot water complaints with the city. (1 complaint per 25 residents).

Advocates can use the dashboard to help Black and Latinx residents in low income or public housing.

Black and Latinx people live in the Bronx in greater concentrations than in other boroughs and these residents have historically suffered from residential fires at a higher rate than other parts of NYC.