Fire Fills 57th Street Apartment Building With Smoke

By Tuan Nguyen

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MIDTOWN — An electrical fire filled a Midtown apartment building with smoke early Friday, the FDNY said.

The blaze started in the basement at 200 East 57th St. at 5 a.m., forcing firefighters to partly evacuate the 16 story building.

"There was smoke up and down the building," said Chris Hoopes, 46, who lives on the 11th floor. 

"The firemen cleared the stairways. They advised people to stay in their apartments except people with little kids as there was lots of carbon dioxide," he said.

A fire official said the fire seemed to be accidental.

He said the fire was contained in the basement. It was put out by 6:15 am.

Con Edison personnel on sent to the scene to fix the electrical problem.