Fire breaks out at the Museum of Natural History

UPPER WEST SIDE -- A small fire forced evacuation of the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side.

The flames were reported shortly before 3:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon and firefighters from all over the city converged on the scene.

Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Schiralli says air conditioning units that were undergoing maintenance caught fire Friday afternoon, sending smoke through the ventilation system.

Museum officials say there were no injuries. About 4,000 people were ushered out of the building in less than five minutes.

The smoke filled the Hall of Northwest Coast Indians on the first floor. Originally the call was for smoke on the fourth floor.

The museum is scheduled to open Saturday morning. The sprinkler system caused some water damage.

Some people took to Twitter and Instagram to report what was going on while they waited.

No injuries were reported.

(Some information from the Associated Press)