Politics
Fire Erupts at Bryant Park Holiday Market
Several booths at one of New York City’s largest seasonal markets were affected, but there were no injuries.
A fire erupted at the popular Bryant Park holiday market in Midtown Manhattan on Friday morning, officials said, burning the booths of multiple businesses and emitting plumes of smoke that could be seen from miles away.
The Fire Department said it received a call about a fire on the south side of the park shortly before 9:30 a.m. and that the fire was under control by 10 a.m. There were no injuries, officials said, and the fire marshal is investigating the cause.
The Bryant Park holiday fair is one of New York’s largest seasonal markets. Around four million people visit the market, shopping at dozens of small kiosks that fill the park. There is also ice skating, curling and food vendors.
Officially called the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, the market is scheduled to run through Jan. 5, operating from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends, according to its website. Most of the market’s shops and the ice rink had reopened by noon, a spokeswoman said, adding that those not affected by the fire would reopen later in the day.
Videos of the fire spread on social media on Friday morning. In one video, a man yells, “Get out!” and “Let’s go!” as a fire rises from what appears to be several kiosks. In another video, about five firefighters approach the flame.
The Herald Square holiday market, about six blocks south of Bryant Park, was also struck by a fire this month. Several holiday booths were destroyed and one firefighter was seriously injured in that fire.
