Open door allowed smoke to spread throughout building in deadly fire, New York City mayor says

New York City Mayor Eric Adams spoke to ABC News on "Good Morning America" about the ongoing investigation into Sunday's deadly fire.

An open door to an apartment unit where a space heater caught fire allowed the smoke to spread throughout all floors of a 19-story building in New York City on Sunday, Mayor Eric Adams told ABC News.

At least 19 people, including nine children, have died from the incident. More than 60 others were injured, according to the New York City Fire Department.

The city passed a law in 2018 mandating self-closing doors in all apartment buildings. It's unclear whether those were installed at 333 East 181st St., located in the Tremont section of the Bronx. The high-rise was built as affordable housing in 1972 and has 120 units, according to city records.

"It appears the ability to have the smoke spread is due to the door being open," Adams told ABC News in an interview Monday on "Good Morning America." "There may have been a maintenance issue with this door and that is going to be part of the ongoing investigation."