FDNY Update on Manhattan Apartment Fire: Response, Injuries, and Complications

Fire Response and Building Conditions

• 🚒 FDNY units arrived at the six-story, non-fireproof building in under three minutes, encountering heavy fire on the top floor.
• 🏢 The fire heavily involved three of the four apartments on the top floor, with significant damage to apartments below.
• 💥 Firefighters aggressively attacked the blaze but had to withdraw due to structural stability concerns, utilizing tower ladders for large caliber streams.
• 🧱 A significant roof collapse occurred into the top floor, and a parapet wall collapsed into the street, necessitating the establishment of a collapse zone.

Occupant and Firefighter Injuries

• 🚶‍♀️ Two occupants were found and assisted down the stairs by firefighters, with one being a non-ambulatory patient who was then handed over to EMS.
• 🩹 A total of four injuries were reported: three civilians and one firefighter with a minor burn.
• 🤝 The collaboration between FDNY rescue paramedics and firefighters was highlighted as crucial in reaching and assisting patients.

Challenges of Firefighting in Cold Weather

• 🥶 Firefighting in cold weather is described as physically demanding due to water freezing on the ground as soon as it leaves the hose line.
• ⚠️ Efforts were made to spread salt on streets and sidewalks to mitigate slips, as many people had already fallen.

Structural Integrity and Investigation

• 🧐 The parapet wall and cornice, located above the roof line, are being monitored for further collapse and will be secured or removed in coordination with the buildings department.
• ❓ The cause of the fire is currently unknown, and the department will provide updates as they become available.