Upper East Side Building Fire Injures 5, Forces Evacuations

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — At least five people were injured Tuesday morning in a fire that broke out in the basement of an Upper East Side apartment building, authorities said.

The call came in around 9:25 a.m. for a transformer fire in the basement of 225 East 63rd St., a 14-story building between Second and Third avenues known as the Renoir House.

Measurements also showed elevated carbon monoxide levels, and the entire building was evacuated, the FDNY said. The fire was brought under control by 1:25 p.m., according to a fire department alert.

Five civilians were being treated at the scene for unspecified injuries. More than two dozen units were at the scene by 11:30 a.m., comprising more than 100 firefighters.

The fire prompted a huge emergency response — videos showed firetrucks lining Third Avenue with traffic backed up for blocks. Police asked residents to avoid the area, warning of traffic delays and road closures.

Updated 2:42 p.m.