Huge Harlem Apartment Fire Injures 9, Displaces More

HARLEM, NY — A huge fire in a Hamilton Heights apartment building early Saturday injured nine people as flames erupted from the roof, according to authorities and videos from the scene.

The fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. on the top floor of 617 West 141st St., a six-story building between Broadway and Riverside Drive, an FDNY spokesperson said.

Seven firefighters were hospitalized with unspecified injuries, and two civilians declined medical attention at the scene, according to authorities.

Videos from the scene showed flames pouring out of the building, along with large plumes of smoke. In an alert, the city warned nearby residents to close their windows to avoid the smoke.

Ultimately reaching five alarms, it took nearly 200 firefighters to bring the fire under control by 6 a.m., the FDNY said.

“Dozens of families” have been displaced by the fire, City Council Member Shaun Abreu said in a Facebook post. P.S. 192, on West 138th Street, is being used as a reception center for residents of the building, he said.

The cause is under investigation.