Fire damages Brooklyn apartment building and affects a second structure.
A significant three-alarm fire erupted in Brooklyn on Wednesday afternoon, causing extensive damage to two adjacent apartment buildings. The incident took place at approximately 1:31 p.m. at the intersection of Lewis Avenue and Stuyvesant Avenue in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. More than 100 first responders, including emergency medical personnel and firefighters, promptly arrived on the scene to combat the blaze, as reported by the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).
According to FDNY officials, the fire completely consumed one of the structures, identified as 922 Lafayette Avenue, and also affected the neighboring building at 920 Lafayette Avenue. Firefighters encountered “heavy fire conditions on all floors” of the affected building upon their arrival. Given the alarming situation, they took a defensive approach to prioritize the containment of the blaze and minimize damage to nearby structures. The affected buildings were described as three-story, non-fireproof multiple dwellings, which exacerbated the fire’s intensity and spread.
While battling the flames, two firefighters sustained minor injuries. The fire caused significant distress among the local community, with residents expressing concern over the state of the building prior to the fire. Some neighbors indicated that the building had long been suspected of housing squatters, with debris and garbage accumulating around the premises. One resident, who chose to remain anonymous, noted that she had previously reported the condition of the building to city services.
Starkeisha Payne, a resident of the nearby building, shared her experience of the harrowing event, stating that everything they owned had been lost to the flames. Witnesses remarked that the building was problematic for over a year. Sara, a neighbor from across the street, confirmed the building’s history as a squat house, commenting on the ongoing issues related to waste and unauthorized occupants.
As the fire investigation remains underway, the cause of the blaze has yet to be determined. Local authorities continue to assess the situation, and further updates are expected as more information becomes available. The response from the FDNY and the commitment to public safety underscores the community’s resilience in the face of such crises.
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