10 firefighters injured battling 5-alarm blaze that impacted 9 businesses in Williamsburg, FDNY says
NEW YORK -- The FDNY is investigating a five-alarm fire that tore through a series of businesses in Brooklyn on Sunday afternoon.
More than 200 crew members responded to the fire, which sent a massive plume of smoke into the sky.
The blaze at Lee Avenue and Williamsburg Street was eventually brought under control, but crews were still seen spraying down the buildings that were reduced to ash and rubble. At least nine Williamsburg businesses were impacted by the flames and heavy smoke. It was a very difficult day for business owners.
The smoke could be seen from far away, even over the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.
The FDNY said 10 people were injured, all firefighters. They are in stable condition. One had to undergo treatment to reverse the effects of carbon monoxide, but the department said he was doing okay.
Crews worked to make sure the fire didn't spread to the eight apartments nearby. Some residents were ordered to leave to avoid smoke inhalation.
"It's a hub of the community, where everybody comes in shopping, buying food, or any other stuff they want and it's devastating," Williamsburg resident Marcos Masri said.
The stretch of businesses is nestled within a tightknit Jewish community. The United Jewish Organization posted on social media, praying for the injured firefighters. Masri's mom and stepdad's rat proofing business was also destroyed.
"A lot of employees there and a lot of businesses there. A lot of people are looking for work," Masri said. "It's gonna be devastating, but, hopefully, we can rebuild that and bring back the businesses."
No one was inside the businesses because they were closed, but that made it even harder for crews to get in. They had to saw down the gates of the storefronts to tackle the five-alarm blaze. FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens described just how difficult the operation was.
"So the operation is we have to force our way into every store, nine stores. They have rolled down gates. We have to stretch a hose through each store. So it takes a lot of staffing, a lot of work, a lot of hard work. It's not an easy task. Other members have to go in and search and make sure there's no victims," Hodgens said.
It was truly a sad situation for the community. A lot of families stopped to look at the firefighting efforts. CBS New York heard from the owner who was crying.
"I feel sorry. I had a business for 47 years and it was gone with one wink," the owner said.
Residents and business owners believe the fire started at a restaurant attached to the shopping strip, but fire officials haven't confirmed where or what caused the fire.
