A restaurant duct fire spread smoke into a 43-story Midtown Manhattan office tower, forcing the evacuation of more than 200 people as hundreds of firefighters and EMS personnel responded.
NEW YORK, NY — More than 220 FDNY firefighters and EMS personnel responded to a third-alarm fire Friday morning after flames in a restaurant spread through ductwork into a 43-story commercial building in Midtown Manhattan.
The fire was reported at about 7 a.m. at 520 Madison Avenue. Firefighters arrived in less than four minutes and found the fire originated in a neighboring restaurant at 22 East 54th Street, according to the Fire Department of New York.
Officials said the restaurant’s ductwork extended into the commercial building, allowing smoke to spread throughout portions of the tower.
The incident escalated to a third-alarm response, bringing more than 90 fire and EMS units, totaling 220 FDNY members, to the scene.
FDNY crews worked with building staff to evacuate more than 200 occupants while firefighters searched the building because of smoke conditions.
Five civilians suffered minor injuries during the incident. One person was transported to a hospital by EMS, while the remaining injured individuals were treated at the scene.
Deputy Assistant Chief John Corcoran credited fire and EMS personnel for overcoming difficult conditions while battling the blaze.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Key Points
- A third-alarm fire brought 220 FDNY members to Midtown Manhattan Friday morning.
- More than 200 people were evacuated from a 43-story commercial building after smoke spread through ductwork.
- Five civilians suffered minor injuries, and one was transported to a hospital.
