4 Injured in 4-Alarm Fire on Upper West Side, Damaged Building Poses Debris Risk

Fire Outbreak and Damage Assessment

• 🚨 A four-alarm fire erupted on the Upper West Side, primarily affecting the top floor of a six-story apartment building.
• ⚠️ Significant structural damage occurred, with the roof's edge, metal, and brick parapet crumbling off the building, creating a dangerous debris zone around the structure.
• 🚒 Fire crews are on the scene working to control hot spots and manage the extensive damage, with the fire largely contained but still requiring active work.

Injuries and Rescues

• 🤕 Three individuals inside the building sustained minor injuries.
• 🚶 One person required assistance from EMS to walk down from the building.
• 🔥 A firefighter was hospitalized with minor burn injuries.

Challenges and Evacuations

• 🥶 The extreme cold weather complicated firefighting efforts, causing water to freeze on the ground and creating icy conditions.
• 🏠 Residents were forced to evacuate their homes and are being assisted by the Red Cross and Office of Emergency Management with warming bus shelters.
• 🚧 Streets in the vicinity, including Amsterdam Avenue from 105th to 108th Street and parts of Broadway, are closed off to accommodate emergency crews and cleanup operations.

Ongoing Investigation

• ❓ The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.