80-year-old man dies in Hamilton Heights fire at 660 Riverside Drive; heavy clutter slowed firefighters and the whole building was evacuated
The two-alarm fire broke out on the third floor just before 1:30 a.m. Monday. Four people were hurt, including two firefighters, and residents of all 54 apartments were evacuated while the Buildings Department checks the damaged staircase.
Photo: Magnus Bäck / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0
- A fire broke out in a third-floor apartment at 660 Riverside Drive, between West 143rd and 144th streets, shortly before 1:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9; it went to two alarms within 20 minutes, with more than 140 fire and EMS personnel.
- An 80-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, the FDNY said. A 52-year-old woman was taken to Harlem Hospital in stable condition, another resident declined treatment, and two firefighters had minor injuries.
- Firefighters found heavy clutter 'from waist high up to shoulder high in some spots,' FDNY Deputy Chief Stephen Sullivan told ABC7.
- The fire spread to two neighboring apartments and damaged the staircase, and all 54 apartments in the six-story building were evacuated; the Red Cross is helping displaced residents.
- The cause is under investigation. The FDNY said some residents should be able to return, but several apartments are too damaged to reoccupy.
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An 80-year-old man died early Monday when a fire tore through his cluttered third-floor apartment at 660 Riverside Drive in Hamilton Heights, forcing the evacuation of every apartment in the building, the FDNY said.
Firefighters were called just before 1:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 9, to the six-story building on Riverside Drive between West 143rd and 144th streets. Flames and heavy smoke were pouring from a window, and within 20 minutes the fire went to two alarms, bringing more than 140 fire and EMS personnel, CBS New York reported.
Victims and injuries
- An 80-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His name had not been released.
- A 52-year-old woman was taken to Harlem Hospital for smoke inhalation and was in stable condition.
- Another resident had minor injuries and declined medical attention.
- Two firefighters were hospitalized with minor injuries.
Clutter and a damaged staircase
"We had heavy clutter throughout, really from waist high up to shoulder high in some spots," FDNY Deputy Chief Stephen Sullivan told ABC7. Video showed a firefighter using a pike pole to drag items out of the apartment window, CBS reported.
The fire spread to two neighboring apartments and damaged the building's staircase, so officials evacuated all 54 units. Some fourth-floor residents told CBS they took the stairs while others used the fire escape. The American Red Cross is helping displaced residents find temporary housing, and the Department of Buildings is checking the building's structural integrity.
"Some occupants will be able to reoccupy the apartments," Sullivan said. "Several apartments are severely damaged and will not be able to be reoccupied."
Fire marshals are investigating the cause.
Winter fire safety
Fires and fire deaths rise in the colder months, the city says. Keep exits, hallways and the path to fire escapes clear, test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and see the FDNY's guidance at fdnysmart.org.
- ABC7 New YorkMan dead, 4 hurt, including 2 firefighters, in Upper Manhattan apartment fire
- CBS New York1 dead, 4 injured after large fire in Manhattan apartment building, FDNY says
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