Officials Probe Cause, Damage in NYC Seaport Fire

Associated Press - July 15, 2012

Fire officials are looking into whether a blaze that engulfed part of a building in New York City's South Street Seaport left any structural damage.

Fire marshals also were continuing Sunday to investigate what caused the fire Saturday in the tourist-friendly historic neighborhood.

The blaze started under Pier 17 on the East River, covering about 100 square feet. Big plumes of black smoke wafted over the Manhattan skyline.

Fire Department spokesman Jim Long says the blaze "could have been a disaster." The pier was teeming with hundreds of visitors.

But no one was hurt, and firefighters doused the flames in less than two hours.

None of the shops and restaurants along the pier was damaged.

The pier was reopened to visitors Saturday evening.