Authorities: 77-year-old woman killed in Bed-Stuy brownstone fire
More than 100 firefighters responded to the scene as thick, black smoke poured from the building.
More Stories
A fire ripped through a brownstone in Bedford-Stuyvesant overnight, killing a 77-year-old woman and leaving the neighborhood in shock.
Authorities say the fire broke out just before midnight on MacDonough Street. More than 100 firefighters responded to the scene as thick, black smoke poured from the building.
“The fire was coming from the bottom floor…within like five minutes, it was coming through the roof,” said neighbor Brigitte Adams.
Neighbors say the woman who died had lived in the home with her daughter and granddaughter. They're believed to be the two people who were reportedly hurt in the fire but refused medical attention at the scene.
“She lost mobility, she couldn’t walk at the time,” said neighbor Sade Gibson, who often saw the woman on the block. “It’s just different to know that somebody is gone. But she did live a good life. I’m glad that her daughter and granddaughter are OK.”
By morning, only a shell of the once-occupied brownstone remained. Windows were blown out, and charred belongings were visible inside. Fire officials say the flames also damaged neighboring homes.
The city’s Department of Buildings issued a full vacate order, declaring the structure unsafe to enter. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
A man who identified himself as a close relative of the victim says her name was Cheryl Griffin. Police have not yet confirmed the victim's identity.
