Part of Herald Square’s holiday market was left in smoldering ruins Monday when a blaze ripped through several booths, leaving one firefighter seriously injured.
The fire broke out around 4 a.m., igniting a swath of the festive shopping corridor on Broadway between West 35th and West 36th Streets just after 4 a.m., the FDNY said.
Photos from the devastating scene show multiple vendors’ booths reduced to rubble, with only their green awnings lined with garland still intact.
Eighteen shops – selling everything from bratwurst to glass ornaments to T-shirts – were destroyed in the blaze, according to an online fundraiser set up to support the vendors.
One firefighter suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries while battling the flames, and was taken to NYU Langone’s Tisch Hospital, the department said.
In total, a dozen FDNY units, including 60 fire and EMS personnel, responded to the scene.
The fire was placed under control within about an hour, and its cause remained under investigation by Tuesday night.
Melissa Glassman, who helps one of her friends run a shop at the market, said the extent of the damage was startling.
“It was more than I even imagined,” Glassman said. “I think it’s kind of weird.”
Holiday shoppers said they did not think the fire would put a damper on their gift plans – but said they felt for the vendors who lost their shops and merchandise.
A man who identified himself as Marcus G., 47, said he had been shopping at Macy’s for his wife but stopped by the holiday market to see what it had to offer.
“I don’t think it’s going to affect us as the shoppers,” Marcus said. “If it’s anyone I feel bad for, it’s the vendors.”
“They obviously lost that money — they invested into the shop, but also they lose on the money they can’t make by not opening.”
Mariah Mills, 27, said she noticed right away that the shops on the north side of the market were closed up, but didn’t know why until she read about the fire in the news.
“I hope the vendors are able to open back up before the season is over and make back some of that money they lost,” Mills said.
The market, operated by the company Urbanspace, has only been open since Dec. 6, offering a variety of handcrafted gifts, artisanal products and festive treats, according to its website.
“We are heartbroken to share that a fire occurred early this morning on the northside of our Herald Holiday Market at Broadway and 36th Street, resulting in the destruction of a number of small business booths,” Urbanspace said in a statement. “This is a devastating moment for our market family, especially during what should be a joyful holiday season.”
“We are actively working with local officials to determine the cause of the fire and ensure the site is secure and safe for the rest of the vendors and visitors to other parts of the market.”
The company said it is working to help each vendor affected by the early-morning blaze.
The unaffected areas of the holiday market between 34th and 35th streets remain open, according to Urbanspace.