Fire rages at Upper West Side building, raining debris onto sidewalk

Raging flames leaped from an apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on Tuesday, raining debris onto the sidewalk and spewing smoke across the cityscape, but causing no major injuries, officials say.

The fire broke out at a six-story building on the corner of 107th Street and Amsterdam Avenue around 8:20 a.m., according to the FDNY. It escalated to a four-alarm fire shortly after 9 a.m.

Department of Buildings' records show the building, which is not fireproof, has 21 units. Investigators say each floor had about four units. There were no reports of major injuries.

Firefighters were able to walk out a person found in a fourth-floor apartment and a person found in a third-floor apartment to receive any needed medical treatment. They, along with a firefighter who suffered a burn injury, are expected to be OK, officials said at a press conference.

Chopper 4 showed the entire top floor consumed by flames, with black smoke billowing from under the rooftop. Fire appeared to chew through the roof as well, approaching firefighters as they tried to attack it from the side.

Part of the roof collapsed into the top floor, where apartments were totally destroyed, fire officials say. The ones on the floor below sustained heavy damage.

A parapet wall on the left side of the building also caved in and plummeted to the street. A large chunk fell right next to a responding fire engine. Investigators say the entire area is a collapse zone, and fire officials will remain at the scene, monitoring, throughout the day.

There was no immediate word on a possible cause.

People were advised to avoid the area and vulnerable residents to close their windows.