A dramatic fire sent thick black smoke pouring over Midtown Manhattan Tuesday morning — just as crowds were gathering for New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The blaze broke out shortly before 10 a.m. at a high-rise near East 43rd Street and Madison Avenue, prompting a rapid response from firefighters and emergency crews.
Videos from the scene showed massive plumes of dark smoke billowing from the rooftop, with flames shooting out from the top of the building as sirens echoed through the streets below.
According to officials, the fire started in an air conditioning unit on the roof.
Firefighters quickly moved in and were able to bring the situation under control before 11 a.m. — just in time for the parade to begin.
Despite the intense visuals, authorities confirmed there were no reported injuries.
It’s still unclear whether the building was occupied at the time, though early reports suggest it may have been under construction.
The incident did cause major disruptions in the area, with officials warning of traffic delays, road closures, and public transit issues as crews worked to contain the flames.
For a brief moment, the towering smoke over Midtown added an unexpected and chaotic backdrop to one of the city’s biggest celebrations — but thanks to a swift response, the situation was brought under control before it could escalate further.