A fire erupted following an explosion near a high-rise building in Manhattan, New York. The explosion engulfed the building in flames, sending a thick plume of black smoke into the sky. Several videos of the incident are circulating on social media. Sirens could also be heard.
Within minutes of the explosion, approximately 100 firefighters and emergency personnel arrived at the scene and began battling the blaze. Manhattan is known for its many skyscrapers.
Complete details regarding the event are still emerging. It remains unclear whether the fire was caused by the explosion or another factor. Firefighters are currently on-site, engaged in rescue and containment efforts.
The New York City Fire Department announced that its fire marshals are investigating the cause of the fire. Flames, which originated on the roof, rapidly spread to a cockloft and three penthouses located on the top floor of the building. Approximately 40 units and a total of 170 FDNY members were deployed to contain the three-alarm fire.