Just before 8 p.m. last night, a fire broke out at 190 Bowery, the old Germania Bank Building best known as the home of artist Jay Maisel and then for selling for $55 million. The fire started on the roof but was quickly put out by the FDNY, reports Gothamist. As an eyewitness told them, "Huge fire... all out now, a small explosion but the fire was contained to the roof and they put it out quickly."
Props to @FDNY, #fire on the roof of old #GermaniaBank, 190 Bowery, was quickly extinguished moments ago. #NYC pic.twitter.com/Ua0NFh3fTX
— Nina Roberts (@ninarobertsnyc) August 9, 2016
The FDNY reported that there were no injuries, but a cause for the fire is unclear at this point. Bowery Boogie reported that it may have involved a propane tank or an explosion. A tipster tells Curbed that the fire was contained to the roof, and that damage to the landmarked structure was minimal (which is good news).
from my window earlier this evening, 190 bowery fire, #fdny arrived literally seconds after, glad everyone is safe. pic.twitter.com/mFub1iNd3g
— lexie moreland (@lexieblacklock) August 9, 2016
Developer Aby Rosen purchased the 72-room building in 2015 from Maisel, who had owned it since the 1960s. Rosen started a conversion to retail and upscale office space last year, and this summer, RFR Realty began scrubbing the building clean of its iconic graffiti (though one tag will remain). The firm declined to comment about last night's events.