1 dead, dozens displaced after fire at NYC apartment building

UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) -- Officials are still looking for the cause of a fire that ripped through an apartment building on Manhattan's Upper East Side Monday evening, leaving one person dead. Six firefighters suffered minor injuries.

On Tuesday, contractors were hard at work trying to shore up the building where the fire broke out. The three-alarm fire erupted around 7:15 p.m. in the building on East 82nd Street near York Avenue. It began on the fifth floor and then spread to floors above and below. 

Justin Shea, who lives nearby, came by when the fire was happening.

"Fire had spread into more apartments and when the firemen vented the building, when they broke all the windows, the entire block was filled with smoke. And that’s when I left because I didn’t want to inhale a lot of smoke," Shea said.

At least eight to 10 apartments were filled with flames. One person was killed. The victim was found in a hallway. The identity of that person has yet to be released.

On Tuesday, officials said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

"We haven’t been able to get to the area of origin at this time due to structural stability," FDNY Chief Fire Marshal Dan Flynn said.

At least 33 people and three cats have been displaced.

Shea said many people in the area are now looking for ways to help.

"On a lot of the local social media, a lot of the Upper East Side groups have really banded together to draw support, donations. People were saying, 'What can we donate? Who can we donate to? Are there GoFundMes?'" Shea said. "That's like one very, very small silver lining we can take from this is that we know people will be here for each other in times of need."

The Red Cross is assisting anyone who has been impacted. People who need help with their recovery should call 1-877-RED CROSS (877-733-2767).