NEW YORK (AP) — A malfunctioning space heater sparked a fire that filled a high-rise Bronx apartment building with thick smoke Sunday morning, killing 19 people including nine children in New York City’s deadliest blaze in three decades.

Trapped residents broke windows for air and stuffed wet towels under doors as smoke rose from a lower-floor apartment where the fire started. Survivors told of fleeing in panic down darkened hallways and stairs, barely able to breathe.

Multiple limp children were seen being given oxygen after they were carried out. Evacuees had faces covered in soot.

Firefighters found victims on every floor, many in cardiac and respiratory arrest, said Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro. Some could not escape because of the volume of smoke, he said.

Some residents said they initially ignored wailing smoke alarms because false alarms were so common in the 120-unit building, built in the early 1970s as affordable housing.

False alarms are a big issue in many industries, that often not taken seriously. Too many false alarms are just as dangerous as alarm systems not working at all.

Another observation I have is that the dangers from toxic smoke inside of buildings from burning furniture and other debris is often under-estimated in modern fire-proof buildings, which often limit their fire to only a few rooms. And I certainly don't leave my space heater unattended, make sure plugs are in the wall securely, and are careful with it. Just like I am super careful with fire when I'm up in the woods, and some day when I own a wood stove.