Six people were killed and nine others injured early Thursday when a fast-moving three-alarm fire tore through a two-story residential building in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, prompting a response from more than 200 first responders as fire marshals investigated potential lithium-ion battery involvement.
According to FDNY officials, the call for box 2634 was received at 1:39 a.m. for fire throughout a private dwelling.
Just after 1:30 a.m. Thursday, the FDNY responded to 653 58th Street in Brooklyn for a fire that was reported by nearby residents. Units arrived in approximately three minutes. Six people died in this fire—four were pronounced dead at the scene and two others died after being… pic.twitter.com/ByaiS2tBIb
First Responders Rescue Trapped Residents and Treat Injuries
Emergency personnel pulled four trapped residents from the building during the operation. Nine other individuals, including three firefighters and two police officers, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Among the injured, one man was transported to Staten Island University Hospital with burns to his feet, and a woman was taken to Maimonides for smoke inhalation.
Chief of Operations Kevin Woods explained at a press briefing that the flames spread rapidly because the home was part of a block of 25 wood-frame row houses. During the firefighting operations, the interior stairs partially collapsed, and crews had to cut holes in the roof to release superheated gases. More than 175 firefighters deployed five hoselines to bring the main body of the fire under control by 4:28 a.m., preventing widespread extension to the remaining units in the row. The American Red Cross assisted eight displaced residents with temporary accommodations in nearby hotels.
This was an intense fast-growing three-alarm fire.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani
City Officials Crack Down on Non-Compliant Batteries
Fire officials noted that it is not yet clear if the batteries sparked the blaze or were simply consumed by it.
State Senator Steve Chan, who represents the neighborhood, noted that many local residents utilize e-bikes for transportation. In response to the trend, the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protections has initiated a crackdown on businesses selling non-compliant batteries. First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Flynn emphasized the necessity for all New Yorkers to have an established fire safety plan, questioning how residents would escape or notify others during an emergency.
A deadly fire burned through a home in Sunset Park this morning, killing six New Yorkers and injuring nine others, including five first responders. This is an unimaginable loss, and we grieve alongside every loved one and neighbor and pray for the recovery of those injured. I…
What are you going to do when a fire breaks out in your home? How will you escape? How will you notify everybody else in the house?
First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Flynn
Fire marshals continue to investigate the exact origin of the Sunset Park blaze, while the New York City Department of Buildings ordered an adjoining damaged property to be vacated. The building itself was built in 1915 and was sold by a family a few years ago to a company identified as One Golden Sunshine Corp.
More on Sunset Park
Mayor Zohran Mamdani, FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Flynn provide update on deadly 3-alarm fire in Brooklyn https://t.co/FDL6Tkk8Tn
A tragic fire took the lives of six New Yorkers in Brooklyn and injured more, including three brave members of @FDNY. The quick actions of our first responders saved lives. My thoughts are with the grieving families.https://t.co/CI0FCZQaae