FDNY responded to reports of fumes at New World Stages this evening — the five-theater Off-Broadway complex at 340 W50th Street beneath Worldwide Plaza in Hell’s Kitchen.
FDNY responded to New World Stages Sunday evening following reports of fumes. Photo: Catie Savage
According to FDNY, a call to report fumes was received at 5:43pm. Fire units responded and operated on the scene, reporting zero readings on their meters.
FDNY radio transmissions indicated that Hazmat units were also requested earlier in the response to take additional readings. Firefighters later reported that no abnormal readings were detected while searching the theaters.
EMS treated a total of three people at the scene. All three refused additional medical attention, according to FDNY.
As crews responded, traffic was temporarily blocked on both W50th and W49th Streets between 8th and 9th Avenues.
FDNY crews leaving New World Stages after clearing the scene. Photo: Catie Savage
FDNY radio transcripts from earlier in the evening noted that a show had taken place in Theater Five earlier in the day and that the only special effects used were theatrical haze. Radio transmissions also indicated that the source of the fumes had dissipated.
W42ST has reached out to New World Stages for comment. This story will be updated as more details become available.
As a Hell’s Kitchen resident since 2005, I have lived in both the W30s and W50s. After a 15 year career in the luxury fashion industry, I made a pivot to community advocacy in 2020. In addition to my role as Deputy Editor at W42ST, I am founder of the local non-profit cleanup group Litter Legion, co-chair of HK49-54 Block Alliance and a member of Manhattan Community Board 4. I’m deeply committed to improving my neighborhood and serving the people who call it home.