Saturday, April 07, 2018

Trump Tower fire: One dead, four New York City firefighters hurt


Christal Hayes 38 mins ago 


© Mark Lennihan, AP Trump Tower in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City, shown on March 16, 2016, has 58 floors of offices and condominiums, including 263 residential units.

Fire crews responded Saturday evening to a small blaze at Trump Tower in New York that left at least one person dead and four firefighters injured, officials say.


A man, 67, was taken to the hospital but later died of his injured, said New York Police Department spokesman Ofc. George Tsourovakas, adding an investigation was underway.

Four firefighters also were injured as they battled the blaze on the 50th floor, including two who were burned. Their injuries are not life threatening according to New York City Fire Department.


© Muhammed Said Tanl/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Smoke rises from the 50th floor of Trump Tower in New York, United States on April 7, 2018.

Onlookers outside Trump Tower took photos and video of the blaze as it grew, flames and smoke billowing from several high-rise windows. Some footage showed debris falling hundreds of feet to the street.

The fire started in a large apartment on the 50th floor, and when firefighters responded about 5:30 p.m., the entire unit was engulfed, said Daniel Nigro, commissioner of the New York City Fire Department.

► Jan. 8: Fire breaks out on roof of Trump Tower in NYC

► Sept. 19: 3 congressmen arrested outside Trump Tower in DREAM Act protest

"Members pushed in heroically, they were knocking down the fire and found one occupant of the apartment," he said, adding crews had a hard time battling the fire because it was up 50 stories and in a large unit.

Nigro said about 200 firefighters and EMS officials were called to the scene.



The person found in the unit was taken in critical condition to the hospital. Tsourovakas would not say whether he was the person who later died.

Four firefighters were also hurt, including two who suffered burns. All are expected to be OK.

A blaze broke out at Trump Tower in New York City on Saturday that left at least one person injured. A blaze broke out at Trump Tower in New York City on Saturday that left at least one person injured. (Photo: NYC Emergency Management)

Crews also checked on Trump's home in the building, which was unharmed in the blaze.

Nigro said smoke spread throughout much of the building but it was unclear if any seeped into Trump's three-story penthouse.

No members of the first family were in the building during the incident, Nigro said.

Before moving to the White House, the tower was President Trump's main home. He and his family own an apartment, which Forbes estimated as being more than 10,000 square feet and spans three floors.

Forbes reported that Trump's penthouse is on floors 66 through 68, meaning the fire occurred more than 10 levels below Trump's home.

The president tweeted about the blaze, commending the firefighters who responded. He said the fire had been extinguished but fire officials remained at the scene for several hours due to the heavy smoke.

"Fire at Trump Tower is out," he wrote. "Very confined (well built building). Firemen (and women) did a great job. THANK YOU!"

The first 19 floors of the building are commercial businesses, according to The New York Times. Much of the rest of the building is used as homes, but the high prices mean that celebrities and the city's elite are the ones who can afford to live there.

The tower has a history of attracting some high-profile tenants, including Michael Jackson, Johnny Carson and Bruce Willis. Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign manager who is facing charges in the special prosecutor's probe, is one tenant.

Eric Trump, one of the president's sons who also helps head The Trump Organization with headquarters in the tower, also tweeted out his thanks to firefighters who tamed the fire.

"Thank you to the amazing men and women of the NYFD who extinguished a fire in a residential apartment at @TrumpTower," Eric Trump posted on Twitter. "The @FDNY and @NYPD are truly some of the most incredible people anywhere!"

Donald J. Trump ✔ @realDonaldTrump Fire at Trump Tower is out. Very confined (well built building). Firemen (and women) did a great job. THANK YOU!

All the injuries then were not life threatening.

Follow Christal Hayes on Twitter: @Journo_Christal




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