Emergency crews promptly responded to a fire at the Bryant Park Winter Village early Friday morning. The flames ignited shortly before 9:30 a.m. at a food kiosk located near 40th Street, nestled between Fifth and Sixth avenues, according to reports from the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).
FDNY Battalion Chief Joe Castellano detailed that the kiosk, measuring 6 feet by 40 feet, was divided into four different storefronts and contained cooking equipment. Fortunately, firefighters managed to contain the fire within an hour, bringing it under control by 10 a.m. However, the fire completely destroyed the kiosk and caused minor damage to a neighboring kiosk and the roof of the nearby ice skating rink.
Importantly, there were no reported injuries from the incident, and Castellano reassured the public that there were no ongoing fire dangers at other holiday markets across the city. The FDNY later classified the cause of the fire as accidental, attributing it to cooking oil igniting after making contact with combustible materials.
In response to the fire, a spokesperson for Bryant Park expressed gratitude for the swift action of the FDNY. They also confirmed that “The Rink” and “The Lodge” remain open, with most holiday shops having reopened, and all unaffected shops expected to resume operations later in the day. The Winter Village is scheduled to continue until January 5.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety, especially during the busy holiday season, where cooking and food preparation are prevalent. The quick response of the emergency services not only minimized damage but also ensured the safety of visitors, allowing the Winter Village to continue operations and provide holiday cheer to the community.