5 hurt in East Village apartment fire in Tompkins Square Park

FDNY battled an early morning fire in Tompkins Square Park in the East Village on Wednesday.

The fire broke out sometime before 5:15 a.m. on Avenue A at St. Mark's Place.

Firefighters had their tower ladders extended up to the roof of the building.

Damage was reported on the first and second floors of the apartment building.

A lithium-ion battery was recovered from the second floor, although the official cause of the fire is not yet known.

Five residents suffered minor injuries.

The flames appeared to be knocked down by 6:15 a.m., but there were traffic delays reported in the area due to the fire department activity.

ALSO READ | New York Governor signs new squatter law after 7 On Your Side Investigation

Dan Krauth breaks down the new law and its impact.

----------

* Get Eyewitness News Delivered

* More Manhattan news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

* Follow us on YouTube

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.