A three-​alarm fire tore through a few apartments at the Strand today – at 43^rd & 10^th – killing one resident and scorching the side of the building. The fire began on the 20^th floor of the 42-​story building, and in addition to the fatality, two residents suffered significant smoke inhalation, apparently after being discovered trapped in a stairwell. The NY Times has more information on the incident.

Here’s a clip from Neil Jacobson taken directly across the road from the fire:

Fire crews got the blaze under control by around 1pm, and spent much of the afternoon searching the floors above the source of the fire for any residents affected.

A closeup of the aftermath:

Several fire crews were on scene, and other trucks were throughout the area seemingly on standby.

Naturally, the incident drew onlookers:

Traffic on 10^th Ave was flowing again by at least 2pm, but W 43^rd St remained closed at 9^th Ave to pedestrians and traffic for most of the day to keep the area clear:

Our thoughts are with the family of the victim, and we’re hopeful the two people treated make quick recoveries. For the next few days the Strand will no doubt bear its burn marks, so the memory for the building’s residents won’t go away any time soon.

This was obviously the biggest incident in the area today, but an hour or so before the fire at the Strand crews were called to Toloache on W 50^th St in response to a fire in the air ducts. It’s days like this we really appreciate the fire crews in the neighborhood.