The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) is battling a fire that erupted in a Manhattan skyscraper, sending thick smoke drifting near the start of the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Video footage reveals flames and a dense cloud of smoke rising from the rooftop of the building located on East 43rd Street, within a block of the parade's starting point. Firefighters were dispatched shortly before 10 AM, managing to control the blaze in under an hour without any reported injuries.

The fire reportedly started in the building's cooling tower, which is currently undergoing renovations. Despite the ongoing work, officials indicated there could have been workers inside the building at the time of the incident. The prompt response by the FDNY, which involved all available resources, highlights the department's preparedness to tackle emergencies in high-density urban environments like Manhattan, particularly during major events when crowds are present.

This incident underscores potential safety concerns related to construction activities in busy city areas. It also showcases the importance of precautionary measures, such as ensuring that all construction sites have adequate safety protocols to prevent fires and other incidents from jeopardizing both the workers on site and the surrounding community, especially during large public events such as parades.