Early this morning, an intense fire swept through the Herald Square Holiday Market, causing extensive damage and injuring a New York City firefighter. ABC 7 New York reports that the blaze ignited just before 4:15 a.m. and quickly spread among the booths that housed small vendors' merchandise along Broadway. Firefighters were deployed, tackling heavy flames that consumed not only crafts and goods meant for festive exchange but also several propane tanks that were caught up in the conflagration.
The fire saw firefighters battling bravely, one of whom was seriously injured amidst the flames. As detailed by PIX11, the firefighter was subsequently rushed to NYU Langone’s Tisch Hospital. The incident pulled at least 60 firefighters and EMS personnel to the scene between West 35th and West 36th streets.
Crews achieved control over the fire at approximately 5 a.m. The market, originally scheduled to provide holiday cheer until January 3, was instead layered in ash and echo of sirens. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by fire officials. The severity of the injured firefighter's condition is yet to be widely shared.
