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Manhattan

Man dies following fire at Trump Tower in New York

The president was not present in the building at the time.

Once Resident Killed In Trump Tower Fire Firemen responding to the fire at Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan Taidgh Barron / PA Images Taidgh Barron / PA Images / PA Images

AN ELDERLY MAN died late last night and four firefighters were injured after a blaze erupted on the 50th floor of Trump Tower in New York.

The New York Police Department said 67-year-old Todd Brassner was found “unconscious and unresponsive” when officers arrived at the scene.

Brassner – a Trump Tower resident identified by US media as an art dealer – was pronounced dead after being taken to Mount Sinai Roosevelt Hospital, according to police, which said the medical examiner’s office would determine the cause of death as part of an ongoing investigation.

“This was a very difficult fire. As you can imagine, the apartment is quite large, we are 50 stories up. The rest of the building had a considerable amount of smoke,” the New York City Fire Department said.

Trump Tower Fire Fire damage visible on the side of the building Craig Ruttle / PA Images Craig Ruttle / PA Images / PA Images

It said the four firefighters had “non-life threatening” injuries and the blaze had been brought under control.

Smoke began rising from the skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan around 6pm (11pm Irish time).

The building, which is owned by US President Donald Trump, serves as the headquarters for The Trump Organization and houses the president’s penthouse. Surrounding streets were closed off as tourists snapped pictures on their phones.

Trump Tower Fire A firefighter looks out from the window of the fire-damaged apartment Craig Ruttle / PA Images Craig Ruttle / PA Images / PA Images

The fire department earlier tweeted a picture of the building with several windows of the 50th floor ablaze.

Trump later said the fire had been extinguished.

“Fire at Trump Tower is out. Very confined (well built building). Firemen (and women) did a great job. THANK YOU!” he said.

© – AFP, 2018

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