Broadway Actress Dies after Apartment Fire

NY Post – September 04, 2015

by Shawn Cohen, Megan McGibney and Natalie Musumeci

A Broadway actress has died from injuries she suffered when a raging fire swept through her Hell’s Kitchen apartment earlier this week.

Actress Vivian Eng, 51, was caught inside her burning 33rd floor home at the Manhattan Plaza building on West 43rd street at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, officials confirmed.

Eng, a dancer, was a part of a number of Broadway ensembles including “Precious,” “Away We Go,” and “Barney Live! New York City.”

Firefighters were able to rescue the actress, who was rushed to St. Lukes Hospital and listed in critical condition. She died on Wednesday from burns to the head and torso and smoke inhalation, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office.

“Good Wife” actor Dylan Baker, who lived next door to Eng, tried to find her in the flames by calling her name before escaping out of the high-rise, he told NBC.

The fire started due to a “careless discard of smoking materials,” Fire Marshals said. Neighbors and friends were devastated by the news.

“She was very nice, always smiling, very polite,” said Omar Hall, who works security at the building. “Like everybody, I’m sad. It’s unfortunate that it happened.”

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