5 people injured in four-alarm fire at Williamsburg residential building
Firefighters arrived in a little over three minutes and quickly saw heavy fire burning on multiple floors.
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A large fire in Williamsburg sent flames through the roof of a residential building early this morning, injuring five people and damaging at least two buildings, according to the FDNY.
The fire broke out just before 2 a.m. at 494 Humboldt St., between Richardson and Herbert streets. Firefighters arrived in a little over three minutes and quickly saw heavy fire burning on multiple floors.
FDNY officials say five people were hurt — three firefighters and two residents. All injuries were non-life-threatening. The two residents suffered minor burns, and the firefighters had minor injuries, officials said.
Neighbor video from earlier this morning shows flames coming from the roof and thick smoke pouring into the air as firefighters attacked the fire from above and from inside the building. Multiple ladder trucks were extended to reach the upper floors and roof.
According to FDNY Chief of Operations Kevin Woods, firefighters found heavy fire on the first, second and third floors, with flames spreading into the cockloft — the space above the top-floor ceiling — and across the roofline of attached buildings.
Because of the fire’s intensity and how quickly it spread, FDNY raised the response to a fourth alarm, bringing in about 180 firefighters and EMS personnel. Officials said the buildings involved are older, wood-frame structures, which can allow fire to travel quickly inside walls and ceilings.
FDNY says two buildings sustained extensive damage and will now be evaluated by the Department of Buildings. Nearby buildings were also evacuated as a precaution.
