Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Fire Breaks Out on St. Mark's Place in East Village

By Julie Shapiro | December 9, 2011 10:38am | Updated on December 9, 2011 11:11am

EAST VILLAGE — A fire broke out on a busy stretch of St. Mark’s Place Friday morning, authorities said.

The blaze began on a mattress on the third floor of the six-story residential building at 26 St. Mark’s Place, between Second and Third avenues, about 10 a.m., the FDNY and sources at the scene said. 

Some residents of the building, which houses the bubble tea shop T-Kettle on the ground floor, had to be evacuated using a ladder as firefighters battled the blaze.

“I couldn’t breathe. I was sticking my head out the window to breathe,” said fourth-floor resident Seokyoung Min, 31.

“I’m shaking.”

Twelve units and 65 firefighters responded to the scene, bringing the blaze under control at 10:35 a.m., officials said. 

Battalion Chief Ed Carney explained at the scene that the small blaze appeared accidental, but that the fire marshal would investigate.

“You never think a fire could happen in your building," added resident Sara Syms, 33, who's lived at the address for the past year and a half.

"I’m going to call and get renters insurance now.”