4-Alarm Fire Injures 3 Residents and 1 Firefighter on Manhattan's Upper West Side

Firefighting Challenges on the Upper West Side

• ❄️ Fire officials faced a significant challenge with frozen water on the street and sidewalk due to the cold weather, complicating efforts to battle the blaze.
• 🧱 A portion of the building's exterior collapsed onto the sidewalk, leading to the establishment of a collapse zone with barricades.

Intensity of the Four-Alarm Blaze

• 🔥 The four-alarm fire, which broke out around 8:20 AM, engulfed the top floor and roof of the six-story apartment building.
• 💨 Residents several blocks away could see the flames and smell the smoke, while businesses across the street felt the intense heat from the fire.
• 🚒 Over 140 firefighters responded to the scene, with fire officials stating the top floor was already fully engulfed upon their arrival.

Resident Evacuation and Injuries

• 🆘 Firefighters conducted rescues of residents from the top and third floors.
• 😟 One resident described the panic and confusion during the evacuation, with firefighters urging people to leave immediately.
• 🩹 A total of four minor injuries were reported: three residents and one firefighter sustained minor burns.

Ongoing Investigation

• 🔍 The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
• 💧 Efforts were made to spread salt on the streets and sidewalks to mitigate the freezing conditions caused by the water used to fight the fire.