Unexplained Fire Crisps the David Whitney Building's 15th Floor

Renovations at the David Whitney Building may have hit a slight snag. Flames erupted on the Whitney's 15th floor late Saturday night, attracting a large contingent of emergency personnel. Naturally, there were complications. The Whitney's standpipe—a common emergency plumbing system meant to keep firefighters from having to run hoses up 15 flights of stairs—was disconnected at the time, as the building has been vacant since 2000. Whoops. Despite that shortcoming, firefighters kept the blaze contained and provided an entertaining show for Bleu's boozed-up patronage.