‘Suspicious’ fires break out on 3 floors of Times Square hotel

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Firefighters responded to a hotel in the heart of Manhattan midday Tuesday after multiple fires broke out, producing heavy smoke, authorities say.

According to Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), the call for the fire at Staybridge Suites, located at 340 W. 40th St, came in around 11:44 a.m.

FDNY on the scene said that it appears the fires are suspicious in nature and were discovered on the third, 8th and 18th floor.

The investigation has been handed over to the New York Police Department (NYPD).

Fire officials are assessing each room as a precaution.

Fire marshals are investigating the incident.

At least two people were hurt when a series of fires officials say appear suspicious broke out late Tuesday morning at a hotel in Times Square.

Around 100 firefighters responded to the two-alarm blaze at the 38-story Staybridge Suites on 40th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues.

Dozens of tourists were staying in the Midtown hotel when alarms went off just before noon, forcing every one of them to evacuate. Some of them had to run down over 30 flights of stairs.

Guests say hotel employees were running up and down the hallways in an effort to get people out of their rooms to safety. Leigha Jenkins was up on the 20th floor with her young son when the pandemonium broke out.

Crews responded to fires on three floors; the third, eighth, and eighteenth. One of them was in a hotel room and two were in the hallways, according to FDNY Manhattan Borough Commander Roger Sakowich.

Each of the fires consisted of burning articles which were left behind, according to Sakowich.

Late Tuesday, police released a surveillance photo of a woman they say may be responsible for setting the fires.

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