Firefighters Respond to Rooftop Fire in Midtown Manhattan Near St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Firefighters responded to a rooftop fire in Midtown Manhattan on the morning of March 17, 2026. The incident took place at a building on East 43rd Street, close to the route of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The fire began shortly before 10 a.m., producing visible smoke across several blocks. Emergency crews from the FDNY arrived on scene and initiated a large-scale response to contain the blaze.

Authorities reported that the fire was affecting equipment on the roof, including parts of the building’s HVAC system. Early information suggested that a generator and nearby fuel supply may have been involved.

The building was evacuated as a precaution, and no injuries were reported. Firefighters continued efforts to control the situation while monitoring conditions around the structure.

The incident occurred near a major public event, drawing additional attention to safety and crowd management. Officials continued to assess whether the fire would have any impact on nearby activities.

As the response continued, updates were expected regarding the cause of the fire and the extent of any damage to the building.