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See beautiful photos of NYC’s iconic fire escapes

Check out images of iconic New York City fire escapes before they become extinct

Written by
Dan Kilberg
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In a city where having your own backyard is a privilege reserved for aristocrats and unicorns, for years the fire escape has been a New Yorker's best friend. Our humble iron balconies have offered us much-needed solitude, a smoker’s retreat, outdoor dining options, a barbecue porch, and, hey, a quick escape in case of a fire. But due to recent safety concerns, fire escapes are now being seen as unnecessary due to the inclusion of fireproof interior stairwells in many buildings. This could mean they may soon join subway tokens, dive bars and most music venues, like CBGB, as a relic of old New York. Here's our pick of some of the best in town—enjoy them while you can.

RECOMMENDED: See more New York photo galleries

Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Erik Konon

Tribeca

Manhattan
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Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Merton Wilton

Harlem
Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Jonathan Percy

Midtown
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Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Eric Konon

Nolita
Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Pisano

Sunset Park
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Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Rémi Ravaz

SoHo
Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Superherb

Chinatown
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Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/David Tan

Borough Park
Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Madabandon

Brooklyn Heights
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Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Reeyahram

Lower East Side 
Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Rémi Ravaz

SoHo
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Greenwich Village

Greenwich Village
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Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Sean Ganann

SoHo
Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Larimdame

Brooklyn
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Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Dmtnyc

Brooklyn
Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/David Ewalt

Brooklyn Heights
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Greenwich Village
Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Thomas Hawk

Manhattan
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Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Clint McMahon

East Village
Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/John Fraissinet

Hell's Kitchen
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Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Severalseconds

Lower East Side
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