NEW YORK — A fire broke out at the Macy’s Herald Square flagship around 4:30 p.m. Monday, causing shoppers and employees to evacuate the store on the busy Columbus Day holiday.
No one was injured when the small fire occurred in a first-floor elevator shaft, which did not spread, but caused smoke to permeate the department store, according to the fire department.
“A small fire in an unused utility elevator shaft was quickly contained. However, smoke traveled through the shaft to the office tower above the store,” according to a Macy’s spokeswoman. “The FDNY requested an informal evacuation from the upper floors while they conducted a sweep of the building. At no time were any customers or employees in danger.”
Eighty-five firefighters from about 20 units responded to the department store at 151 West 34th Street.
Fire marshals are investigating the cause of the blaze.
The store reopened at 6:15 p.m.