NEW YORK (VINnews) — Three people were killed and five others critically injured early Monday in a fire at a six-story apartment building in Upper Manhattan, authorities said.

At 12:35 a.m. Monday, the FDNY received a call for a fire at 207 Dyckman Street in Manhattan. Units arrived within three minutes and observed fire on the first floor of the six-story building. Members also saw several people attempting to exit the building via the fire escapes.… pic.twitter.com/S33bWsPpzP

— FDNY (@FDNY) May 4, 2026

The blaze was reported shortly after 12:30 a.m. at 207 Dyckman Street, according to the FDNY. Firefighters arrived within minutes and found flames on the first floor spreading rapidly through the building’s only stairwell.

Residents were seen trying to escape using fire escapes as crews battled heavy smoke and flames that extended through multiple floors.

John Esposito said the fire moved quickly from the ground level to the roof, impacting numerous apartments and complicating rescue efforts. Firefighters deployed multiple hose lines while simultaneously assisting occupants attempting to flee.

Lillian Bonsignore emphasized the importance of keeping apartment doors closed during fires, noting units with closed doors sustained significantly less damage.

In addition to the fatalities, five civilians were taken to hospitals in critical condition. One firefighter and several other civilians suffered injuries.

More than 190 fire and EMS personnel responded to the three-alarm fire, which was brought under control around 3 a.m. The cause remains under investigation.