One dead, several injured as fire breaks out at Trump Tower in New York

Apr 8, 2018

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A fire has broken out at Trump Tower in New York, with black smoke and flames seen billowing from one of the upper storeys.

Police identified the man killed as Todd Brassner, 67, a resident of the building’s 50th floor. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition but later died, said spokeswoman Angelica Conroy of the Fire Department.

Brassner was unconscious and unresponsive when firefighters pulled him out, the New York Police Department said. The medical examiner’s office will determine the cause of death.

The New York Fire Department tweeted that it was responding and that one person was reported to be injured.

US President Donald Trump has a home and an office in the building, but is in Washington this weekend.

The fire is reported to be on the 50th floor of the high-rise, which contains both apartments and office space.

The president tweeted that the fire was out, and had been “very confined” as the tower is a “well built building”.

Emergency services have not confirmed the current status of the blaze.

Streets surrounding the building in Midtown Manhattan have been closed off.

A spokeswoman for First Lady Melania Trump confirmed that she and their son Barron Trump were also in Washington.

Mr Trump’s son Eric tweeted that the fire had been at a “residential apartment” and thanked the “incredible” NYFD for their response.

BBC