UES school second-floor fire; reports of kerosene in the cellar

The second floor of the Julia Richman Educational Complex in Lenox Hill caught on fire in the early hours of Wednesday, July 23, but the flames were quickly extinguished by the FDNY.

There was reportedly kerosene in the cellar, which prompted extra caution by firefighters called to combat the blaze.

Julia Richman High School graduated its last class back in 1995, becoming the Julia Richman Educational Complex shortly after. The building is now home to six autonomous schools, housing almost 2,000 students total.

There are four high schools: Urban Academy, Talent Unlimited, Manhattan International High School, and Vanguard High School. And, there are two younger schools: the Ella Baker School (a K-8 school for autistic students) and a LYFE center (a nursery for children of students enrolled in the complex).

The FDNY responded to the call at around 5:25am, sending 12 units and 60 fire and EMS personnel to 317 E. 67th St., between First and Second avenues.

When they arrived at the scene, respondents discovered that the fire had primarily impacted the Ella Baker School, according to a post from @NYCFireWire on X.

The fire was under control by 5:58am, an FDNY spokesperson told Straus News. There were no reported injuries.

“Hazmat precautions are in place after receiving reports of kerosene in the cellar,” quoted on Citizen as well as a firefighter on a dispatch call, according to EastSideFeed.

While officials were not able to confirm or deny the presence of the fuel, an FDNY spokesperson told Straus News that fire marshals were still on the scene investigating.

Neither the Ella Baker School nor the Department of Education responded to queries by press time.