The Associated Press
NEW YORK CITY — A small electrical fire forced a brief evacuation Friday of the national headquarters of The Associated Press in Manhattan.
No injuries were reported. Filing of news and photos was transferred to backup bureaus and was not significantly interrupted.
Fire Chief Tom Currao of the 7th Battalion said the fire was in a mechanical equipment room on the 11th floor of the 15-story building, and it was put out within 15 minutes. Employees were allowed back into the building one hour and 15 minutes later, after a search for possible victims. The fire caused a smoke condition throughout the top five floors.
Approximately 100 firefighters responded to extinguish the blaze, which was reported shortly before 7 a.m., fire officials said.
The AP, the world’s largest news organization, occupies the top three floors of the building on West 33rd Street near Madison Square Garden. Other occupants include the Daily News, WNET-TV and U.S. News & World Report.