Upper West Side Fire: Building Evacuated After 4-Alarm Blaze

Devastating Fire on the Upper West Side

• 🏠 A massive 4-alarm fire broke out at an apartment building on 107th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, displacing dozens of families ahead of the holidays.
• ⚠️ The FDNY responded within 3 minutes to the blaze, which began on the top floors and spread rapidly due to the building not being fireproof.
• 🚒 Approximately 150 FDNY and emergency personnel responded to the incident.

Injuries and Rescues

• 🩹 Three residents and three firefighters were treated for minor injuries.
• 🆘 Witnesses described firefighters bravely entering the building to rescue people, including elderly residents and a man in a wheelchair.
• 💧 Tearful reunions occurred at a local church where the Red Cross registered 45 people, including four children, for temporary hotel accommodations.

Building Damage and Evacuation

• 💥 The fire caused significant damage, with parts of the exterior falling to the street.
• 🏗️ Due to concerns about structural stability, firefighters were removed from the roof and used tower ladders to extinguish the flames.
• 🚫 A full vacate order has been issued for the building by the department of buildings because of the extensive damage.

Ongoing Investigation

• 🔍 The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
• 🤝 Neighbors are being highlighted for their efforts in helping others escape the inferno.