A two-alarm fire tore through 328 E. 14th St. early this morning. According to the official FDNY Twitter feed, the fire started just before 6 a.m. in the ground floor, which is home to Artichoke Pizza here between First Avenue and Second Avenue.
FDNYalerts MAN 2-ALARM 328 E 14 ST, MULTIPLE DWELLING FIRE ON THE 1ST FL,
— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) May 26, 2017
A large number of firefighters were congregated outside what is Artichoke's dining room...
The damage extends to the second and third floors of the building...
The FDNY called it under control by 6:30 a.m.
FDNYalerts MAN 2-ALARM 328 E 14 ST, MULTIPLE DWELLING FIRE ON THE 1ST FL W/ EXT TO 2ND AND 3RD FLRS, UNDER CONTROL
— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) May 26, 2017
No word just yet on cause or injuries or extent of the damage. As of 7 a.m., the NYPD still had 14th Street closed off between First Avenue and Second Avenue.
Artichoke is planning on opening in a new location directly across the street from here. Artichoke debuted at No. 328 in 2008.
Updated 10 a.m.
The Daily News reports that the fire caused "extensive damage" to Artichoke.
Witnesses said that the fire started right around its 5 a.m. closing time.
"I woke up to drunk girls on the street eating pizza and taking Snapchats, saying 'Holy s--t! There's a fire,'" said Morgan Crouse, 25, who lives above the pizzeria.
Updated 2 p.m.
The story in the Post noted this: "One fire source said it did not appear to be intentional."