It’s been three years since a fire tore through an apartment building in Belmont and killed 13 people. Now, safety measures have been put in place to prevent a tragedy like that again. 

The Prospect Avenue fire was the deadliest in New York City in 25 years. As a result, the City Council passed multiple laws. Some include mandating self-closing doors and child safety stove knob covers. 

The fire started when a toddler was playing with stove burners the night of Dec. 28, 2017. What helped the fire spread was the door being left open. 

“It’s so important that if you have a fire in your apartment when you leave, you close that door,” says FDNY Capt. Jason Rigoli. 

The FDNY says the fire spread to the staircase and other floors. That led to the deaths of 13 people. 

Now, property owners must install stove knob covers in units with children under 6 years old. 

The fire department took some time to educate the Bronx neighborhood Monday. They urged families and those who live alone to create an emergency escape plan with two ways to get out of your house or apartment, with a meeting in place outside.