By Gus Saltonstall
More than 100 firefighters responded to a blaze Monday afternoon on the Upper West Side, FDNY confirmed to West Side Rag.
The two-alarm fire broke out around 4 p.m. on the roof of 28 West 75th Street, between Columbus and Central Park West, FDNY said. The flames were brought under control by 5:21 p.m., FDNY added.
Two firefighters were injured, but no residents suffered any injures, according to FDNY. The condition of the firefighters is unknown as of 6:10 p.m. Fire marshalls were at the scene investigating the possible cause of the fire, FDNY added.
A crowd gathered Monday afternoon to watch the firefighters, and smoke from the building was spotted from Central Park.
On Monday night, Bethany Crystal, the president of the West 75th Street Block Association, reached out to the Rag to say that residents in 10 units of 28 West 75th Street have been displaced due to the fire, and to share the following message.
“We are devastated to hear the news of the recent fire and recognize how this displaces many neighbors at 28 West 75th Street,” the statement from the block association reads. “If you were impacted by the fires and need anything (food, clothes, supplies, a place to stay, a home for your pet), please email west75ba@gmail.com and we will endeavor to coordinate among members on our mailing list to support the needs of our neighbors.”
“Neighbors: If you have supplies, a spare room, or availability to accommodate any pets, plese reach out to west75ba@gmail.com.”
West Side Rag will update this story when we learn more.
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It was quite scary to watch and the FDNY response was absolutely breathtaking. NY’s Bravest, and then some. Thank you FDNY.
Just a quick note that the fire was on 75th, not 74th street.
Updated, thank you!
A friend and I smelled the smoke in Central Park and saw two helicopters hovering.
Hi, I’m Bethany Crystal, the President of The Manhattan 75, the block association for West 75th Street. We were devastated to hear and see the news of this fire yesterday. Our members would like to do what we can in support of any neighbors in need of housing, supplies, food, or a place for their pets during this difficult time. If you have been displaced and need help, or if you live nearby and would like to contribute anything to your community (either a spare room, housing for a pet, clothes, or more), please visit https://manhattan75.nyc/ or drop us an email at west75ba@gmail.com.
We do not know you, I certainly didn’t talk to you. No one in our predicament is going to cold-call you. The American Red Cross came and provided items and hotel rooms.
This smacks of virtue signaling, and it’s appalling.
What a sick response to genuine concern.
Cut Bethany a break, she was being nice and she meant well!
Correct.
They were “devastated” to hear it.
Thank you FDNY! FDNY, NYPD, etc. get so much grief around here. Let’s give them some gratitude for putting their lives on the line to keep us safe.
Most people aren’t mad at FDNY, just like they’re not mad at EMS.
That was an example of virtue signaling. I can’t define it, but I know it when I see it.
#THIS!
Please, people, be careful. Don’t know the cause of this fire. But things we could do to prevent fires. Like, is it necessary to burn candles (and burn up oxygen!)? So many common sense things such as that. Let’s prevent fires. Better not to put our FDNY and NYPD at risk.
What caused the fire?? What’s the point of reporting them if public is NEVER informed. Arson? E-bike battery? Gas barbecue??
Let’s not forget meat smoking with smoldering wood, and charcoal barbecues.
Perhaps it was from demonstrating the flammability of certain high proof beverages.
Cigarette smoker
Here is some wild video of the fire from a distant rooftop… https://www.youtube.com/shorts/A7Pbd13WnEQ
The NYFD is not going to give this guy an award for practicing fire safety.