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7-Alarm Chinatown Fire: At Least 32 Injured, 200 Homeless
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 12, 2010
Modified Apr 12, 2010
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By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 12, 2010
Modified Apr 12, 2010
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Just after 10 p.m. last night, firefighters were called to a fire at a six-story building at 285 Grand Street in Manhattan's Chinatown. The blaze grew into a 7-alarm fire, which brought over 250 firefighters and took until 2 a.m. to bring under control, and spread to other buildings. At least 32 people were injured—three civilians and 29 firefighters— were injured and at least 200 are homeless.
According to the NY Times, "Flames burst 20 to 30 feet from the roof. Three ladders had been put up against the building, and a few dozen firefighters waited to be sent in, five at a time. Hundreds of people stopped to watch the blaze on the cool spring night." WABC 7 reports that firefighters rescued people from fire escapes and "Three tenants were seriously injured. Two elderly residents were in critical condition, while the third was serious."
The co-owner of one of the buildings told the Post, "The tenants on the sixth floor ran downstairs and told us to get the hell out." And a tenant said, "I heard fire trucks and smelled smoke so I got my roommate and we evacuated. When the firefighters smashed open the second floor windows, flames came bursting out. We thought they had it under control at that point until the flames came out of the roof."
Tagged
Chinatown
fdny
fire
fire department
grand street
manhattan
seven-alarm fire
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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