Video from @blythjs who explains the video is from “about 30 minutes” (sent at 12.40am) and that the fire appears to be smaller now.
Update: Rescue crews first responded to the scene after a 911 call at 10.14 p.m. EDT, a New York Fire Department official said from the scene by telephone. He said the first crew arrived at the scene at 10.16 p.m.
Update: Photo of heavy smoke over drifting over Lower Manhattan via Flickr user dantekgeek
Update: video here: http://img32.yfrog.com/i/t43.mp4/
Update: Google Street Map view of 285 Grand, bldg on fire.
Update: Chilling video of scene and fire from a couple blocks away
Update: EVAC ALL FIRE FIGHTERS via NYCScanner Twitter: “Update manhattan nyc grand & eldridge sts. Heave fire from the bsmnt thru the roof of a 6 sty 60x80 bldg. Evac all fire fighters”
Update: WireUpdate.com is reporting at least 250 firefighters on the scene.
Update: BNO reports: “Grand St. Chief of Dept Kilduff has transmitted a 7th alarm for heavy fire in two buildings. Spokesman says so far 3 injuries reported.”
Update: Fire is now reported to be in three buildings, and two civilians with serious life threatening injuries.
Update: The New York Times reports “Flames burst 20 to 30 feet from the roof” and dozens of firefighters “waited to be sent in, five at a time.”
Update: FDNY call logs visible here. Show at 23:10 hours they received a “report of person trapped in apartment 4C on the 6th floor.”
Update: Photo showing a street packed with firefighters
Update: “These photos are from 11:30pm - 12 :20am”
Update: Video uploaded two hours ago of units on the scene
Update: In a report time stamped 12.28am at Yeshiva World News, they report that all firefighters were pulled from the building.
Update: At 12.45am, Vermont’s WCAX.com carried an AP report that “…an FDNY spokesman said all of the residents have been evacuated.”
Update: The best photos yet from the scene, from David Perez Shadi, who emailed them to a friend, who in turn uploaded to Twitpic.
Update: Gothamist has more info this morning.
