Massive Five-Alarm Fire Blazes In Chinatown, FDNY Says

CHINATOWN, NEW YORK — Firefighters spent the night battling a massive blaze in a historic Chinatown building that sent flames billowing into the night sky and injured at least three people, officials said.

Flames erupted on the fourth floor of 70 Mulberry St., near Bayard Street, sometime about 9 p.m., according to the FDNY and the NYPD.

When the fire quickly spread through the roof, firefighters climbed a five-story ladder to pluck a person from the top floor, FDNY said.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and one civilian suffered serious, but not life-threatening, injuries from smoke inhalation, according to FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro and New York Assembly Member Yuh-Line Niou.

One man was taken to New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center with minor injuries, police said.

The fire was believed to be under control about midnight, but flames broke out again in the back of the building about 1:40 a.m., police said.

At 3:15 a.m., it was designated as a five-alarm fire as firefighters called for reinforcements, according to police.

Patch was not immediately able to reach the FDNY for more information.

Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted about the blaze, urging New Yorkers to stay away from the area near Columbus Park.

The five-story building is owned by New York City and home to the headquarters of Careers Made Possible, a nonprofit providing career services to low-income immigrants.

Mott Street between Canal and Bayard and Mulberry between Bayard and Bowery were still closed Friday morning, police said.