FIRE RIPS THROUGH WEST SIDE BUILDING

by dan rivoli

fire fighters put out a blaze that started on the roof of 155 w. 71st st. in the early hours of aug. 8.

calls about a fire in the six-story brick building came in to 911 around 4 a.m. the flames escalated into a three-alarm fire. there were 168 firefighters on the scene, eight of whom were taken to roosevelt hospital with minor injuries.

there were no reported injuries among the tenants, which includes borough president scott stringer.

he recently moved into the west 71st street building.

his office did not return a request for comment about any damage to his apartment.

the fire was contained at 5:26 a.m., according to the fire department.

"it looked like the whole roof of one of the buildings was on fire," said bonny kahane, who snapped photos of the blaze from her third-floor apartment across the street. "it was roaring."