Bryant Park Winter Village Reopens After Fire

The Bryant Park Winter Village in Manhattan reopened on Saturday after a fire on Friday morning damaged several booths. The fire, determined to be accidental and caused by cooking oil, destroyed three food booths and caused minor damage to an adjacent kiosk and the ice skating rink.

<img src="https://media.nbcnewyork.com/2024/12/Market-fire-4.png?resize=218%2C123&amp;quality=85&amp;strip=all" alt="Fire at Bryant Park Winter Village">

Mario Vivas, owner of Criollas Empanadas, a kiosk that sustained minor damage, estimated potential losses of up to $50,000 due to the closure. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

"This is a miracle actually because we only got destroyed one of our walls and the fire just stopped right next to us," said Vivas.

<img src="https://media.nbcnewyork.com/2024/12/IMG_3008.jpg?quality=85&amp;strip=all&amp;resize=218%2C123" alt="Damage to Bryant Park Winter Village booths"><img src="https://media.nbcnewyork.com/2024/12/IMG_3007.jpg?quality=85&amp;strip=all&amp;resize=218%2C123" alt="Damage to Bryant Park Winter Village booths">

Bryant Park officials expressed gratitude for the FDNY's quick response and confirmed the rink and lodge remain open. Most shops also reopened, though those affected by the fire will miss out on crucial holiday sales. The Winter Village is scheduled to close January 5th, with the ice skating rink remaining open until March.

The incident comes just days after a fire at the Herald Square holiday market, impacting 18 vendors who will not return this season. The FDNY stated they are not overly concerned about the two recent fires at city holiday markets.

Local News Impact

The fire caused traffic delays and road closures in the area. The incident highlights safety concerns for holiday markets and the significant financial impact on vendors affected by such events. The Winter Village is a major holiday attraction for NYC, attracting many tourists during the holiday season.