Update on the Fire on Fifth Avenue, With Photos

At 12:15 this afternoon a boiler exploded in the basement of the Associated Supermarket at 617 5th Avenue, on 17th Street, sending flames into all units in the building and smoke high into the sky. 

Only minor smoke-related injuries were reported from the three-alarm fire, but the building is completely gutted and about 130 firefighters are still struggling to contain the flames. Smoke can be seen (and smelled) for blocks in either direction.

The view down 17th Street, from Sixth Ave

Here are some photos of the inferno from Corey Rabinowitz's Picasa page: 

And a Google Streetview picture of the building in better days:

UPDATE: A message from the Red Cross: If you or someone you know has suffered damage due to the fire, the Red Cross may be able to provide assistance and information. Please call our 24-hour number at 1-877-REDCROSS (733-2767). For more details on our response to the fire as it happens, please follow us on twitter at twitter.com/redcrossny. Thank you.