FDNY Contains Midtown Fire As NYC St Patricks Day Parades Begin; Smoke Seen Near Fifth Avenue Route
As st patricks day parades got underway in New York City, firefighters brought a rooftop blaze under control near the start of the Fifth Avenue route, sending a plume of smoke over Midtown but not delaying the march.
Fire Near Parade Start Brought Under Control
The fire erupted on the roof of a high-rise on East 43rd Street between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue, just a block from where the New York City parade steps off. Video from the scene showed flames and heavy smoke pouring from the building’s top as engines converged through dense crowds. The incident was declared an “all hands” operation.
the blaze began in the building’s cooling tower just before 10: 00 am ET, with a call for the fire coming in at 9: 46 am ET for 6 East 43rd Street. The structure is under renovation, and there could have been workers inside at the time. No injuries were reported, and crews had the fire under control in just under an hour.
St Patricks Day Parades: Route, Timing, And Advisories
The New York City parade stepped off without delay at 11: 00 am ET from 44th Street, heading up Fifth Avenue to 79th Street. An estimated 2 million people lined the route as smoke thinned above Midtown following the response. A city alert warned of major traffic delays, road closures, and mass transit disruptions while emergency personnel remained active near the scene.
If you are traveling to st patricks day parades along Fifth Avenue, expect heavy pedestrian traffic and possible detours around East 43rd Street as responders finish their work. Allow extra time for subways and buses in the Midtown core and follow on-the-ground instructions from police and event staff.
What’s Confirmed And What’s Still Being Assessed
Fire the flames involved rooftop mechanicals, with early details pointing to a cooling-tower fire. Separate preliminary accounts referenced an HVAC issue and a backup generator with fuel stored nearby, though a final determination of cause was not immediately available. As a precaution, some upper floors in nearby buildings were evacuated while smoke drifted over the area.
Key facts remain unchanged as of late morning: no reported injuries, the parade proceeding on schedule, and traffic and transit impacts persisting around East 43rd Street while crews secure the site. Further updates on the building’s status and the fire’s origin are expected as assessments continue.
