Massive Fire at Bryant Park Holiday Market in New York, No Casualties Reported

Massive Fire at Bryant Park Holiday Market in New York, No Casualties Reported

New York: A massive fire broke out at Bryant Park’s iconic holiday market on Friday morning, caused by cooking oil. The fire spread to a stall, creating huge plumes of black smoke that engulfed the Manhattan skyline.

Although the fire was not criminal, it was highly destructive. According to the Fire Department, the fire started at around 9:20 a.m., and firefighters took nearly an hour to bring it under control. The fire occurred in a small stall, approximately 6 feet by 40 feet in size, which housed four small businesses.

Joe Castellano, Battalion Chief of the Fire Department, told reporters at the scene, "We found a fire in the kiosk behind me, and the fire was spreading throughout."

The Fire Department later confirmed that the fire was accidental, caused by cooking oil coming into contact with combustible materials.

It was reported that the fire initially started from a trash fire and then spread to the stall. A photo showed a booth named "Seapark," selling lobster rolls and seafood fries, catching fire.

Fire Department officials said that while some neighboring areas experienced minor damage, it was not severe. Castellano stated, "There was slight damage to the adjacent kiosk, and some heat impingement on the roof of the ice skating rink behind the kiosk on fire. However, the fire did not spread."

No injuries were reported, and the fire was brought under control within about an hour. A spokesperson for Bryant Park said, "We are grateful for the FDNY’s quick response. The rink and the Lodge are still open. Most of the holiday shops have reopened, and those not affected by the fire will reopen later today."

This fire came just a week after another blaze in Herald Square, where 18 shops were destroyed in a fire in the festive shopping corridor.