NEW YORK — A fire broke out Friday morning at the Bryant Park Christmas Village, temporarily disrupting the annual holiday market in Midtown Manhattan. No injuries were reported, but several vendor stalls sustained damage before firefighters were able to contain the blaze.
The fire was reported around 7:00 a.m. at the popular holiday attraction, which features dozens of seasonal vendors and draws thousands of visitors daily. According to witnesses, flames appeared to originate from one of the vendor kiosks near the southwest corner of the market.
The New York City Fire Department responded, extinguishing the flames and preventing the fire from spreading to nearby structures. An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, but officials said there is no indication of foul play at this time.
Vendors at the market have expressed concern over the impact of the fire on their holiday season sales. “This is one of the busiest weekends of the year for us,” said a vendor who asked not to be identified. The market, which is a staple of New York City’s festive offerings, has operated at Bryant Park for more than two decades.
Officials said cleanup efforts were already underway, and they expect the Christmas Village to reopen later in the day. Visitors are encouraged to check local updates for the latest information on access to the market.
The fire briefly dampened the holiday spirit in one of the city’s busiest seasonal attractions but underscored the resilience of New Yorkers in ensuring the festivities continue.