Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Read more
Fire crews in New York City rushed to the scene as a fire broke out at a high-rise building close to the start of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Video shared online showed a tall plume of black smoke coming from the roof of a building at 6 East 43rd Street near the intersection of 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue. Footage showed the fire coming from a large air conditioning vent. Crews climbed to the roof to fight the blaze.
The fire broke out shortly before the beginning of this year’s parade, set for 11 a.m. Roughly two million people are expected to line the streets of the Big Apple to watch.
Workers in nearby blocks received announcements over their office tannoy and were evacuated. “My whole office left,” one person told The Independent. “It was so scary.”
open image in gallery
Fire crew in New York rushed to the scene as a fire broke out at a high-rise building that sits close to the start of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade (AFP/Getty)
open image in gallery
Video shared online showed a tall plume of black smoke coming from the roof of a building at 6 East 43rd Street (AFP/Getty)
Sources reported that the flames were under control by 11 a.m. and the parade was unaffected by the incident.
FDNY confirmed that it was at the building, sharing video footage of the incident, while members of the public were advised to use alternative routes when traveling to and from the area.
No injuries have been reported and sources said that the building was successfully evacuated.
“Expect traffic delays, road closures, mass transit disruptions, & emergency personnel near East 43rd Street & Madison Avenue, Manhattan. Use alternate routes,” the Notify New York account wrote on X.
The building is owned by the Vanbarton Group, who acquired it in September 2025 with the intention of converting the office building into a 400,000-square-foot residential tower.
The project aimed to deliver 441 residential apartments, including 111 affordable apartments, with initial occupancy previously expected by Spring 2027.