Hydrants covered in snow delay FDNY response to fire at Hell’s Kitchen restaurant

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http://pix11.com/2016/01/24/hydrants-covered-in-snow-delays-fdny-response-to-fire-at-hells-kitchen-restaurant/

POSTED 1:09 PM, JANUARY 24, 2016, BY KATHERINE LAM AND ELLYN MARKS, UPDATED AT 05:48PM, JANUARY 24, 2016

HELL'S KITCHEN, Manhattan — Firefighters struggled to put out a blaze at a Hell's Kitchen restaurant Sunday morning after encountering a snow-covered fire hydrant, prompting the FDNY to ask New Yorkers to clear them as soon as possible in the interest of public safety.

The fire started before 9 a.m. Sunday in the boiler room of the restaurant Empanada Mama on Ninth Avenue. The fire caused smoke to climb up the walls of the building, officials said.

#FDNY members on scene of active 4-alarm fire at 763 9th Ave in #Manhattan pic.twitter.com/hwkwYdSPgK

— FDNY (@FDNY) January 24, 2016

Everyone in the building was evacuated immediately.

When firefighters arrived at the scene, the initial struggle wasn't containing the flames and smoke billowing out of the building, but trying to get to the hydrants that were buried in inches of snow.

@FDNY At 11:00 smoke seems to have calmed down. pic.twitter.com/l1ZjxzQB43

— Mr Chapman (@TC29849362) January 24, 2016

Eventually, they were able to clear the hydrant and contain the fire.

There were no injuries reported, according to the FDNY.

After the rescue effort delay, the NYPD and FDNY took to Twitter to remind residents to shovel out their fire hydrants in case of emergencies.

Seconds matter. When @FDNY arrived at 51st & 9th hydrants were covered in snow as a fire raged. Shovel 'em out! pic.twitter.com/MckkSXZpSn

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 24, 2016