Explosion rocks Manhattan’s Upper East Side, sending thick black smoke over NYC

Explosion rocks Manhattan’s Upper East Side, sending thick black smoke over NYC. Fire crews battle blaze at 95th St & 2nd Ave, cause unknown.

Helicopter video shows dozens of firefighters spraying water on top of the 59-unit building. 

Flames spread to the cockloft, the area between the top-floor ceiling and the roof, and three penthouses on the top floor, officials said. It did not reach adjacent buildings.

Authorities have contained a large, multi-alarm fire that erupted on the roof of a seven-story apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, fire officials said Friday.

A call about the blaze on East 95th Street, between Second and First avenues, came in shortly after 10 a.m. First responders were there within 4 minutes, officials said.

Explosion and Fire on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, NYC

Over 100 firefighters and emergency personnel responded to the scene. The incident caused thick black smoke to billow across the city skyline, with flames spreading from the roof to the top-floor penthouses.

Casualties/Injuries: Three firefighters and the building superintendent sustained minor, non-life-threatening injuries. No civilian fatalities reported.

Response: Over 140 FDNY firefighters and EMS personnel are on-site, actively containing the blaze. Fire crews arrived within four minutes and prevented the fire from spreading beyond the original building.

Streets around East 95th Street and Second Avenue are closed, and residents are advised to avoid the area and close windows due to smoke.

Eyewitnesses reported a loud “boom” or “pop” prior to the fire, followed by intense flames and heavy smoke. Social media and Citizen app videos captured orange flames on the rooftop and significant smoke plumes.