Partial vacate order remains after Brooklyn Heights fire injures 7
The fire broke out just after 3:30 p.m. Monday inside a third-floor apartment at 75 Pierrepont St., between Hicks and Henry streets.
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A day after a fire tore through an apartment building in Brooklyn Heights, parts of the building are now off-limits and construction crews are working outside to secure the area.
The fire broke out just after 3:30 p.m. Monday inside a third-floor apartment at 75 Pierrepont St., between Hicks and Henry streets.
Video from the scene shows fire bursting from the building, neighbors yelling for people to call 911, and one person climbing down a fire escape to get to safety.
Seven people were hurt in the fire. Officials say two residents and one firefighter were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Several others were treated at the scene and did not go to the hospital.
Hetarth Kapadia says he was taken away in an ambulance after inhaling a lot of smoke.
“I didn’t know it was this bad until I opened the door and that was my mistake, but I didn’t know it was this bad. I opened the door and the whole smoke came in. I was kind of choked I ran to the bathroom, closed my door, I called 911. I was scared because I thought the smoke would come in and I would choke and suffocate to the death," said Kapadia.
Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control inabout an hour.
The city’s Department of Buildings inspected the property after the fire and issued a partial vacate order, meaning some apartments cannot be occupied.
Inspectors found smoke and water damage and reported that several windows were blown out in multiple apartments.
On Tuesday, News 12 crews saw workers actively building a sidewalk shed in front of the building to protect pedestrians as repairs begin.
“All my belongings, everything. It's going to be like, I don't know how it's going to look like. It's a nightmare," said Kapadia.
Michele Brandi, a resident who can get into the building, says it's unbearable.
“So, most of it is smoke damage, smoke. It smells horrible in there and I have trouble breathing," said Brandi.
The American Red Cross says it has registered five households — eight adults and one child — for emergency assistance, including temporary lodging.
Residents who cannot return home are now waiting for updates on repairs and when it will be safe to move back in.
