July 2025
A rash of fires in New York City is driving safety inspections to address faulty self-closing doors and other “immediately hazardous” conditions.
This comes two years after a deadly fire that killed 17 people including eight children. Multiple doors to an apartment and stairwells failed to close, allowing smoke from a fire sparked by a space heater on the second floor to spread throughout the building. New laws were implemented to penalize landlords who fail to promptly fix doors that don’t shut and latch on their own, and to increase the number of hires to conduct inspections.
Toronto’s worst condo fire occurred in September 2020 at 200 Wellesley St. E. It began on the 24th floor after a cigarette landed on a balcony igniting hoarded paper and books. The front door was partially open because of debris in the home. Residents were trapped in their suites and calling 911 while confusing heat and smoke coming through doorways and ducts with fire. The fire burned out of control for six hours.
Owners in New York City are required to correct self-closing door violations within 14 days or face daily fines of $250 until the doors are fixed. A visit is required within 20 days to reinspect the doors.
Similar laws and fines in Toronto would be welcome.
Ensuring that self-closing doors close and latch is not typically part of safety inspections in high-rise buildings. This poses safety and security concerns for building residents.
This should change.
