Ten Injured, Including Firefighters, in Massive Mulberry Street Blaze Last Night [Updated]

Photo: FDNY
The three-alarm blaze that engulfed 70 Mulberry Street last night spread quickly, destroying the upper levels of the historic Public School 23. The fire started shortly after 8:45pm on the fourth floor.
Firefighters from Ladder 20 and police from the 5th Precinct were the first responders. More than two hundred fire personnel ultimately arrived to fight the fire, which escalated to five alarm.
Ten people were injured, including nine firefighters and an older man with mobility challenges who was rescued via tower ladder.
The school building was erected in the late-nineteenth century and, in recent years, had become an anchor for Chinatown services. It served as home to community groups like Chinatown Manpower Project (CMP), Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), United East Athletics Association (UEAA), Chen and Dancers, and the Chinese American Planning Council (CPC).
“I am grateful to all the first responders from Ladder 20 FDNY and the 5th Precinct for your swift action and bravery,” Councilwoman Margaret Chin said in a statement four hours after the fire started. “I look forward to working with you and the Chinatown community to restore what was lost.”
We have contacted @cpc_nyc to see what will be needed in the aftermath. @NYPD5Pct is on scene and so is the @FDNY . We are receiving updates. Thank you for the video. Pls be careful. https://t.co/yBNIvluQKY
— Yuh-Line Niou (@yuhline) January 24, 2020
🚨70 Mulberry UPDATE: Three injuries, none life threatening. Inside is still burning but fire is now controlled. pic.twitter.com/s7kX4HIzWA
— Yuh-Line Niou (@yuhline) January 24, 2020
Our units responded quickly- FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro from the scene of the 3-alarm fire at 70 Mulberry Street in Manhattan. Read more: https://t.co/pjr3eIfHQJ pic.twitter.com/2Md3L7OR9n
— FDNY (@FDNY) January 24, 2020
Thanks to @FDNY for an amazing respond, the 3-Alarm 🔥 @ 70 Mulberry St was able to be contain before spreading to the neighboring buildings. FDNY still on scene to ensure the safety of our community.#FDNY #Chinatown pic.twitter.com/IlQusCP6dw
— NYPD 5th Precinct (@NYPD5Pct) January 24, 2020