The New York City Fire Department fought a significant fire on the roof of a Midtown Manhattan high-rise building that released black smoke near the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Tuesday. Videos captured flames and smoke billowing from the building at 6 East 43rd St., close to the parade’s starting point.
FDNY Deputy Chief Brian Whiston reported in a news conference that the fire began around 9:45 a.m. on the building’s cooling tower, prompting an all-hands operation. Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control in less than 90 minutes. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The building was undergoing renovations, and there were concerns about construction workers being trapped inside during the fire. Fortunately, all workers were safely evacuated and accounted for. Three individuals, including an EMS lieutenant and a police officer, sustained minor injuries due to the smoke.
Despite the incident, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade proceeded as scheduled without any delays. However, a Notify NYC alert warned of potential traffic delays, road closures, and disruptions to mass transit in the area. Stay updated with CBS News New York for further developments on this developing story.
Contributor: Alice Gainer
[Context: Fire broke out at a high-rise building in Manhattan close to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.] [Fact Check: The fire did not affect the parade but caused minor injuries to three individuals.]
