Six dead, seven hurt in Brooklyn house fire that trapped residents behind bars
More than 200 firefighters battled a blaze in the Sunset Park neighborhood that lasted three hours, with a lithium-ion battery found on the premises.
By David Marshall ·
Six people lost their lives in a residential fire in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood early on Thursday, according to the city fire department. Seven others sustained injuries during the incident.
The blaze consumed a two-story row house, leaving the wooden structure severely charred. Kevin Woods, the department’s chief of fire operations, described the scene at a news conference near the home. “Upon arrival, we had fire on every floor,” Woods said. “Fire blowing out every window, meeting us at the front door.”
Over 200 first responders arrived quickly to combat the flames. Firefighters rescued four residents by entering through the rear of the house, where they found two individuals trapped behind window bars. The fire was brought under control after approximately three hours of effort.
Four victims died at the scene, while two others were transported to a hospital with critical injuries and later pronounced dead. Four people suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Three firefighters were also injured, though the department stated their wounds were minor and has not released their names.
Eight neighboring residents were displaced by the fire and taken to hotels. Fire marshals are currently investigating the cause. A lithium-ion battery was discovered at the scene, but officials said it is not yet clear if the battery contributed to the ignition.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the media at the scene, calling the event a devastating loss for the community. “It will take a long time for this neighborhood to mourn the neighbors they lost this morning and to recover from this immense grief,” Mamdani said.
