by Eyewitness News' Charles Perez
New York-WABC — A fast-moving hotel fire hit the Upper West Side this afternoon; more than 100 firefighters were on the scene, and there were injuries.
Charles Perez joins us live from the Riverside Tower hotel, at 80th and Riverside.
Residents say they couldn't see where the fire was coming from. That's because the fire was actually moving up the exterior of the building, up a courtyard or shaft filled with electrical wires.
It began on the second floor, and by the time it was done it had moved all the way to the ninth floor.
The fire broke out at the Riverside Tower hotel. The call went out just after 2:00.
Jay Silverman, building resident: "I heard the alarm, and I called down to the desk, and asked them where the fire was. They just said 'Get out of the building.' So I just put my clothes on, grabbed my wallet, and got out of the building."
Approximately twelve residents, along with the hotel's many guests, cleared out. The Riverside Tower Hotel is described as a small hotel with 120 rooms. Eighteen are occupied by rent-regulated tenants. The fire spread floor to floor, along the building's rear exterior.
Joe Davila, building superintendent: "The fire kept spreading, all the way up. And then there was one guy, living there, trapped, waving his hands for help. By the time they got up there, he passed out."
That man, actually a worker in the hotel, was rushed away to St. Luke's Hospital. As firefighters fought the fast-moving flames, one firefighter was injured. The battle was quickly won--but not without a challenge.
Deputy Chief Joseph Pheifer, FDNY: "We had a lot of fire here. We had fire on eight different floors. And we do have one serious injury, a civilian, who's in critical condition. And some minor injuries to firefighters."
So far, no official word on what started the fire. But the police chief did say although he doesn't know how many people were displaced by the flames--it could've been much worse.
 |
