A devastating fire tore through a two-story apartment building in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood early Thursday morning, killing six people and injuring seven others, according to fire officials. The blaze, which was reported around 1:30 a.m., quickly escalated to three alarms, drawing more than 200 firefighters to the scene.
Firefighters worked for about an hour to extinguish the flames. Among those injured were three firefighters. The fatalities included four civilians pronounced dead at the scene, with two others succumbing to their injuries at the hospital. The identities of the deceased and injured civilians have not yet been released.
Witnesses described the scene as horrific. Luis Ramos, who lives across the street, told Gothamist that the building appeared "like a bonfire that was out of control" with flames spewing from every window. "Whoever was in there, they didn’t even have time to get out," he said.
Hazmat officials were called to the building due to the presence of a lithium-ion battery, though officials have not yet identified it as the definitive cause of the fire. New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed the increasing number of fires linked to e-bikes and their batteries, noting that such incidents have caused over 400 fires this year and are a significant safety concern.
"We are investigating what the cause of this fire is, but I can tell you that e-bike fires as a whole have increased to more than 400 fires this year," Adams stated. "They are something that can cause people to lose their lives as well as their livelihoods. We are really looking at every avenue we have to keep them safe."
City Council Speaker Julie Menin echoed the concerns, stating, "More must be done to encourage and mandate safe storage practices. Our city is in mourning."
The Red Cross is assisting residents displaced by the fire, helping them find accommodation in hotels. The building was left severely charred by the intense blaze.
