An Upper East Side building was engulfed by a three-alarm fire yesterday evening, with flames and smoke rising from the structure's fifth floor, swiftly extending to both the fourth and the sixth floors as well as the cockloft area, as reported by ABC7NY. The incident, which took place at a six-story apartment on East 82nd Street between York and East End avenues in Manhattan, has resulted in the tragic death of one civilian and injuries to six firefighters.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) received the alarm at 7:17 p.m. and promptly to arrive on the scene where they encountered fierce flames necessitating an immediate and vigorous response. About 33 units and a substantial team of 138 fire and EMS personnel were mobilized to quell the fire, according to FOX 5 New York. The operation involved stretching multiple hose lines and a strategic dismantling of walls to combat the hidden fires within.
A grim discovery was made when one civilian was found in the hallway on the fifth floor, as they were rapidly evacuated from the building and transported to a hospital, sadly pronounced dead upon arrival. The identity of the victim has yet to be released. The six injured firefighters sustained minor injuries, but details regarding the nature of their injuries have not been disclosed.
Assistant Chief Tom Currao of FDNY described the situation to ABC7NY, saying, "Our biggest challenge is the fire we see, but then it's the fire that we don't see that's in the walls that's traveling, that can quickly go to floor to floor. That makes it challenging." Local resident Larry Goldfarb witnessed the incident and recounted how firefighters worked to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings by spraying water on all the other structures around.
The fire was declared under control around 10:15 p.m. All the other residents from the 24 apartments were safely evacuated, although they will be temporarily unable to return to their homes due to extensive fire and water damage. An MTA bus was expected to transport some of the affected residents to shelters. Fire marshals are currently investigating to determine the cause of the fire.
