According to local news reports citing the FDNY, the emergency was reported at approximately 11:17 a.m. Firefighters and emergency medical personnel worked to contain the flames, assist those affected, and secure the building.
Fire Breaks Out on the Fifth Floor
The fire occurred at 598 West 178th Street, near St. Nicholas Avenue in Washington Heights. Responding firefighters encountered smoke and flames coming from the upper floor of the five-story residential building.
As the operation developed, the FDNY escalated the incident to a second alarm, bringing additional personnel and equipment to the scene. Witness footage showed dark smoke pouring from windows on the upper floor as firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control.
The fire was subsequently extinguished. Reports indicated that the FDNY deployed 46 units and a total of 141 firefighters and emergency medical personnel, reflecting the scale of the response required to manage the incident in a residential building.
Six People Injured, Including Five Firefighters
Six people were reported injured in connection with the fire: one civilian and five firefighters.
According to ABC7 New York and Patch, four firefighters sustained minor injuries, while another firefighter suffered moderate injuries. The civilian was also among those treated following the incident.
All six patients were transported to NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center for medical attention, according to local reporting.
No deaths were reported in the accounts reviewed for this incident. The injuries underscore the risks faced by residents and emergency personnel during fires in occupied apartment buildings.
Partial Vacate Order Issued
Following the fire, the New York City Department of Buildings issued a partial vacate order covering the building’s residential units. The measure restricts occupancy while safety concerns associated with the affected residential areas are assessed.
The commercial spaces on the ground floor were excluded from the order and were not subject to the same restrictions, according to published reports.
The vacate order means affected residents may be unable to return to their apartments until the relevant safety requirements are addressed. However, the available reports did not establish how many residents were displaced or when residential access might be restored.
Cause of the Fire Remains Under Investigation
The precise cause of the blaze has not been confirmed in the reports reviewed. Fire investigators were notified to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine what started the fire.
Authorities have not publicly established whether an electrical problem, equipment failure, or another factor contributed to the blaze. Any conclusion about the cause would be premature until investigators release verified findings.
Washington Heights Community Awaits Further Updates
The October 13 fire prompted a significant emergency response and left six people requiring medical treatment. The partial vacate order also raised concerns about the safety and temporary housing needs of residents whose apartments were affected.
As the investigation continues, further information from the FDNY and Department of Buildings may clarify the cause of the fire, the extent of the damage, and when residents can safely return.