A two-alarm fire broke out at 143 Bowery yesterday morning in a former hotel that is currently being used as a homeless shelter. The FDNY and AMNY are reporting all civilians were evacuated without any injuries but seven firefighters were treated with minor injuries.
According to AM New York, “The former hotel has about 40 rooms and is currently being used as a homeless shelter…The firefighters shattered glass to create ventilation but were met with a stubborn blaze that was difficult to douse due to construction changes. Freezing temperatures on Tuesday morning made the effort all the more challenging, as icicles formed on the fire escape after firefighters began spraying water onto the building.”
The FDNY reports: “The fire started on the third floor, ceiling extended to the fourth, fifth and into the cockloft. It was a very labor intensive operation to get to the fire on the roof, they had to do a lot of cutting and extreme weather conditions always make it a little challenging,” said Assistant Chief Brian Gorman.
“The fire was placed under control at 10:07 a.m. There were seven minor injuries to firefighters. FDNY Fire Marshals are investigating the cause.”
