HomeAsian AmericansChinatown fire guts homeless shelter, injures 7 firefighters

Chinatown fire guts homeless shelter, injures 7 firefighters

A devastating two-alarm fire broke out at a homeless shelter in Chinatown, New York City, early Tuesday morning, leaving seven firefighters with minor injuries and the building severely damaged. According to FDNY Assistant Chief Brian Gorman, the blaze started at 8:06 a.m. in the former Grand Street Hotel, now used as a shelter, located at 143 Bowery.

Firefighters arrived within 3 1/2 minutes and swiftly evacuated all shelter residents without injury. Witnesses saw the residents huddled in blankets on the street as smoke billowed from the roof, visible from blocks away. Despite freezing temperatures forming icicles on the fire escape, FDNY crews worked tirelessly to control the stubborn flames. Construction changes to the building made the fire harder to combat, Gorman noted.

“The deck built over the cockloft made it very labor-intensive to reach the roof fire,” Gorman stated, per amNY, referencing how the building’s design hampered firefighting efforts. Cocklofts, open areas between the top floor and roof in older buildings, are notorious for spreading fires.

As described by amNY, firefighters used hoses and saws to battle the blaze, which was brought under control by 10:07 a.m. Surrounding buildings remained unharmed, but the shelter itself suffered extensive damage.

The response involved 25 units and 106 firefighters, with seven responders sustaining minor injuries. FDNY Fire Marshal Dan Flynn confirmed that the cause remains under investigation, but no criminality is suspected at this time.

According to MSN, the shelter’s residents were evacuated safely, but plans for their relocation were not immediately disclosed. The Chinatown community now faces the loss of a critical facility, as officials work to address the aftermath of the fire.

AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.

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