A fire broke out Friday morning at a stall in Bryant Park’s renowned holiday market in Manhattan, creating large plumes of black smoke visible over the city skyline.
The incident disrupted the festive atmosphere of the market, which is a popular seasonal destination.
The fire began around 9:20 a.m., according to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).
Celebrate Trump's Historic 2024 Victory with the Exclusive Trump 47th President Collection!
Flames and thick black smoke erupted from one of the stalls located in the park on West 40th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
Video footage captured by witnesses showed the intense flames engulfing the structure.
Bryant Park Christmas Village is on fire 🔥 #whatisnewyork pic.twitter.com/031iZ2D6He
— WhatIsNewYork (@whatisny) December 27, 2024
Firefighters arrived on the scene promptly and continued battling the blaze for at least 30 minutes after it was first reported.
As of late morning, there were no updates on potential injuries or the cause of the fire, the FDNY stated.
🚨#MANHATTAN: Fire at food shack near Bryant Park, 40 W 40th St. Firefighters knocked down the blaze in two outdoor sheds at the Holiday Market. No extension or injuries reported. #ProtectTheWorld pic.twitter.com/4bGAeWAzau
— Citizen NYC (@CitizenAppNYC) December 27, 2024
This incident comes just a short while after another fire struck Manhattan’s holiday shopping venues.
On December 11, a fire ignited in Herald Square along Broadway, between West 35th and West 36th Streets.
That blaze destroyed 18 vendor shops selling various items, including bratwurst, ornaments, and T-shirts.
The Herald Square fire prompted an outpouring of support, with an online fundraiser established to assist the affected vendors in recovering their losses.
There was an early morning fire at the Herald Square holiday market, looks really bad! This is between 35th and 36th streets.
The section directly in front of Macy’s remains open. pic.twitter.com/iywQ2iz25N
— Jeremy Wilcox (@jwilcox79) December 16, 2024
The cause of Friday’s fire at Bryant Park remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet determined whether it was accidental or if foul play may have been involved.
Bryant Park’s holiday market, featuring dozens of small vendors offering handcrafted goods, seasonal treats, and unique gifts, has been a longstanding tradition in New York City.
Vendors and visitors alike are awaiting further details as the investigation continues.
This fire highlights the challenges seasonal markets face in maintaining safety while creating festive environments for thousands of visitors during the holiday season.
Additional updates from the FDNY and city officials are expected as more information becomes available.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.
Just another Illegal Alien Incident. Nothing to see here. Move along. Some Illegal Alien upset over our not wanting to continue to pay for his lifestyle and Expensive Hotel Room!