A fire broke out at the Bryant Park holiday market in Manhattan just before its Friday morning opening, causing damage to several shops. The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) reported that the fire was accidentally ignited when cooking oil came into contact with combustible materials. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported, and there’s no indication that the fire was intentional.
Witnesses described a rapid spread of the flames, with one vendor detailing the panic as people shouted and fled from the scene. “I hear, ‘Fire! Fire!’ and some people running down, and then I looked out and the booth just bursted into flames,” recounted Delicia Paisley-Smith from Tribal Home. The fire also affected Criollas Empanadas, a neighboring booth.
Firefighters battled the blaze for approximately 30 minutes before gaining control. Despite the fire’s destruction, most shops in the Bryant Park Winter Village remained open, including the popular ice rink and The Lodge. A spokesperson for Bryant Park expressed gratitude for the FDNY’s swift action and reassured visitors that most holiday shops that were unaffected by the fire would be reopening later that day.
Traffic in the surrounding area was disrupted due to the emergency response, particularly on West 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. This incident marks the second fire at a Manhattan holiday market within the month, although the FDNY has indicated that the two incidents do not appear to be connected.
While the event was frightening, it is encouraging to see the resilience of the vendors and the effective response from emergency services. The holiday spirit continues to thrive in Bryant Park, as many shops remain open to serve visitors even during a challenging situation.
In summary, the swift action from firefighters and the determination of shop owners serve as reminders of the strong community spirit that characterizes the holiday season in the city.