Flames erupted on the fourth floor of 180 East 88th Street | Upper East Site
Flames erupted on the fourth floor of 180 East 88th Street | Upper East Site, Jonathon Lynch

Fire Erupts on Fourth Floor of Luxury Upper East Side High Rise

FDNY crews made quick work of a small, but intense fire that erupted Friday morning on the fourth floor of the tallest building on the Upper East Side north of 72nd Street— the new luxury high-rise near the corner of East 88th Street and Third Avenue.

Thick black smoke billowed from the fourth floor fire at 180 East 88th Street
Thick black smoke billowed from the fourth floor fire at 180 East 88th Street | Elena Treanor

The flames, which officials say sparked around 10:00 am at 180 East 88th Street, forced dozens of people out into the street, evacuated from the 92NY’s musical theater program occupying the ground floor retail space in the luxury high rise as well as from offices in the Agora building next door.

Flames erupted on the fourth floor of 180 East 88th Street
Flames erupted on the fourth floor of 180 East 88th Street | Jonathon Lynch

Video taken from buildings across the street show the large flames jumping from the rooftop down below, thick black smoke billowing up towards the sky.

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The 50-story luxury tower sits directly across from Whole Foods and opened in 2021 after five long years of construction.

FDNY crews battle the fire that erupted on the fourth floor of 180 East 88th Street | Upper East Site
FDNY crews battle the fire that erupted on the fourth floor of 180 East 88th Street | Upper East Site

One witness told Upper East Site that he saw what appeared to be a worker from the luxury high-rise using a fire extinguisher on the flames before FDNY arrived. 

FDNY crews battle the fire that erupted on the fourth floor of 180 East 88th Street | Upper East Site
FDNY crews battle the fire that erupted on the fourth floor of 180 East 88th Street | Upper East Site

Firefighters got the flames under control by 10:35 am, and thankfully no injuries were reported, according to FDNY officials.

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