A fire at the Stanley M. Isaacs Houses left three people injured after flames broke out on the eighth floor of one of the NYCHA towers on First Avenue between East 93rd and East 94th Streets, according to the New York City Fire Department. Firefighters said the blaze was brought under control in about 30 minutes and that crews searched the building to ensure no other occupants were trapped. One resident was transported to a hospital with severe injuries, and two first responders were treated for minor injuries.
According to PIX11, the fire started just after 11 a.m. and drew multiple engine and ladder companies to the Upper East Side complex. The outlet reported that a fire marshal was assigned to dig into the cause and that ambulances took the most seriously injured person to a nearby hospital. Officials did not immediately say whether any residents had to leave their homes.
Where the Isaacs Houses Are
The Isaacs Houses stretch along First Avenue between East 93rd and East 95th Streets and are made up of several high rise buildings that together contain hundreds of apartments. The NYCHA voting information page also notes a neighborhood center at 415 East 93rd Street that serves residents, as per City of New York.
A Pattern of Public Housing Blazes
Fires in NYCHA developments have been under the microscope after a string of serious incidents in recent months and years. One of the most troubling was a four alarm Bronx high rise fire in January that killed one person and injured more than a dozen others, as reported by Gothamist.
What’s Next
The FDNY fire marshal is continuing to investigate what sparked Sunday’s blaze, and NYCHA or city officials may share more information as it becomes available. In the meantime, officials urged residents to follow directions from emergency crews and to contact building management if they have safety concerns.
