Unstable Scaffold Shuts Down UES Blocks Near 5th Ave, City Says

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — An unstable scaffolding on an Upper East Side building drew a large emergency response and shut down a portion of Fifth Avenue on Monday morning, FDNY and city officials said.

Firefighters arrived an 905 Fifth Av. around 8:15 for reports of an unstable scaffolding, a department spokesman said. The 12-story scaffold on the building was reportedly pulling away from the cornice on the building's roof, an FDNY spokesman said.

The stretch of Fifth Avenue between East 71st and 74th streets was shut down as emergency responders worked the scene, according to fire officials. East 72nd Street was also closed between Madison Avenue to Central Park.

Firefighters were able to secure the scaffolding to the building by 11 a.m., FDNY Assistant Chief Roger Sakowich said in a statement.

"Members were able to secure the scaffolding as best as possible within the reason of safety. We couldn’t put any members on the scaffolding. We have wind gusts around 65 mph right now," Sakowich said in a statement.

The scaffold, which was set up for facade work, became unstable after heavy winds caused it to separate from the building, a city Department of Buildings spokeswoman said. Contractors worked with first responders to temporarily secure the scaffold, which will be removed on Tuesday.

Violations for failing to safeguard the scaffolding were filed against the building as well as violations for a lack of guard rails, planks not tied down correctly and a failure to performc maintenance, a DOB spokeswoman said.

Streets will remain closed until the scaffolding is removed, a DOB spokeswoman said.