Manhattan fire: Huge blaze breaks out at New York apartment block as 170 firefighters tackle flames

Scores of firefighters have rushed to tackle a huge blaze that has erupted in Manhattan and injured at least members of the emergency response team.

Reports suggested that as many as 170 firefighters were tackling the fire at a four-storey building in the Hamilton Heights neighbourhood in New York's East Harlem.

The fire broke out at 3.15pm and smoke plumes could be seen from locations across the city, reports said.

One woman tweeted a video showing the smoke rising into the sky from her office window on 137th Street.

Syndee Winters, an actress who lists Hamilton: The Musical under her credits, posted videos from the scene of the fire showing the entire roof engulfed in flames as firefighters continued to battle the blaze, according to the website AMNew York.

The city's fire department said that two of its members had suffered non-life threatening injuries. "There are currently 2 non-life-threatening injuries to firefighters reported at 5-alarm fire, 565 W 144 St Manhattan," the department said on Twitter.

There were no reports of any injuries to members of the public. and it was unclear whether the building was occupied at the time the flames took hold.

Officials warned people to stay away from the area. There was no immediate word on the cause of the blaze.

The building is both residential and retail. The fire is on the top floor of the building.