VIDEO/PHOTOS: The New York City Fire Department battled a large fire on the roof of a Midtown Manhattan high-rise that sent black smoke into the air near the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Tuesday.
Videos show flames and the plume of smoke coming from the building at 6 East 43rd St., between Fifth and Madison avenues, just a block from the beginning of the parade route.
At a news conference, FDNY Deputy Chief Brian Whiston said the fire started burning at around 9:45 a.m. on the roof in the building’s cooling tower, which is part of the HVAC system, leading to an all-hands operation.
The FDNY posted a social media video of the scene outside, while other videos from the ground showed smoke covering the sky above Midtown East.
It took a little less than 90 minutes to get the fire under control, Whiston said.
The cause of the blaze was under investigation.
The building in Midtown East is being renovated and firefighters feared some construction workers were stuck inside during the fire.
WCBS-TV CBS 2 New York City