Electrical fire sends smoke billowing from under New York City’s iconic Tiffany store

NEW YORK –

An electrical fireplace in a transformer that serves the Tiffany & Co. retailer on New York’s Fifth Avenue spewed thick gray smoke from below the long-lasting constructing on Thursday and prompted two minor accidents, officers stated.

The fireplace didn’t unfold to the shop itself, however firefighters evacuated about 100 individuals from the constructing as a precaution, Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Carlsen stated. Two individuals suffered minor accidents throughout the evacuation, Carlsen stated.

The fireplace was reported shortly after 9:30 a.m. and was below management by midday, firefighters stated. Videos posted on social media confirmed smoke billowing out from below the shop, which had reopened in April after an in depth renovation. The movies confirmed firefighters battling the blaze with hoses.

Carlsen stated the fireplace was in an underground transformer vault that gives energy to the Tiffany constructing.

Alfonso Quiroz, a spokesperson for the utility Consolidated Edison, stated the reason for the fireplace was below investigation. Quiroz stated surrounding buildings didn’t lose energy.

The Fifth Avenue retailer made well-known by the 1961 film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is the flagship of the luxurious retailer based in 1837 by jeweller Charles Lewis Tiffany. The firm was acquired by LVMH in 2021.

The Tiffany constructing is subsequent door to Trump Tower, the headquarters of former president Donald Trump’s business.

A Tiffany spokesperson did not instantly reply to a request for remark.