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Fire Breaks Out at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, FDNY Says

By Shaye Weaver | April 18, 2017 3:50pm

UPPER EAST SIDE — A fire broke out at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on Tuesday afternoon, the FDNY said.

Approximately 60 firefighters responded to the scene after the blaze was reported in the hospital's "G level" at 444 E. 68th St., between York and First avenues, around 3 p.m., officials said.

The fire was extinguished a little more than 30 minutes later, according to the FNDY and hospital spokeswoman Caitlin Hool. No injuries were reported.

Fewer than 200 employees and no patients were evacuated while clinical staff continued to monitor patient health and safety during the blaze, she noted. 

"We have activated air-handling equipment to expel smoke from the affected areas," Hool said. "There were no injuries. Staff from the first and second floors of one building and other areas were evacuated."

Hospital staff returned to work after the blaze was brought under control around 3:35 p.m., Hool and officials said.

The cause was not immediately known.