During a brief thunderstorm this morning, lightning struck a 7-story building on New York Ave. between Winthrop and Hawthorne St., setting it ablaze. The smoke is blowing across the Crown Heights neighborhood as firefighters continue to try and bring the raging inferno under control.
Lightning Sets 7-Story Building Ablaze
During a brief thunderstorm this morning, lightning struck a 7-story building on New York Ave. between Winthrop and Hawthorne St., setting it ablaze. The smoke is blowing across the Crown Heights neighborhood as firefighters continue to try and bring the raging inferno under control.
A resident of the building, whose apartment is on the top floor, told CrownHeights.info that she suddenly heard a huge “BOOM” and the apartment shook to the point that if felt like the roof was going to cave in.
Moments later smoke began to pour out of the electrical sockets. She frantically grabbed the phone to call 911, but the line was dead.
Thankfully she managed to escape the building, by which time the firefighters had already begun to arrive.
Reports indicate that several firefighters have already been injured in the blaze.
It is unclear if the building has been fully evacuated, and the fire has yet to be brought under control.
We will continue to update this story as it unfolds.
Update: Fire status has been updated to six-alarm.
All firefighters were ordered to withdraw from the building for their safety, and they will now combat the fire solely from the exterior of the building.
Update: Fire status has been updated to seven-alarm.
FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano has arrived at the scene to asses the situation.
The smoke is visible from as far as Boro Park, according to residents of that community.
Update: Sources say the fire is now under control, but firefighters are not yet being allowed to enter the building.
Update: Fire Commissioner Cassano gave a press briefing of the situation:
A total of 24 firefighters were injured, none serious, and were all treated at the scene.
One civilian was also lightly injured, but he refused medical treatment.
A volunteer with the Red Cross – who was there assisting with relief efforts – collapsed in middle of the press conference, causing it to be interrupted.
Update: The Red Cross volunteer was identified as Charles Wells. He was taken to Kings County Hospital, located just a block away, and he is reportedly conscious, alert and doing fine.
The press briefing was resumed by the FDNY press secretary.
A total of 250 firefighters were involved in this operation.
The fire is expected to be completely under control shortly.
A complete photo gallery can be viewed here.
r.e.
I can see the smoke from 10 blocks away!!! Did anyone get hurt?
carroll st.
I was wondering what that smell was. I couldn’t see smoke anywhere, but the smell was horrible!
BOOOOMMM
My gosh I heard that lighting.. Hashem protect us please!
yikes
hope everyone is ok!
Shakin- all over
That wasn’t even supposed to be The Big One. That’s on its way. Hope everyone can get back in their homes soon.
Stop drop and roll
You have to be so careful! All the smoke inhalation is very harmful! And great job to everyone who helped get that fire out!
hasgocha protis!!!
the building is owend by the sperlins,
intresting that hashem sent lightning to two major landlords in ch,
may they and all of see the light,
its time to awaken for what we have to do…… and each and evrey one of us can fill in the blanks
to #3
you cant hear lightning…
oh vey!
sounds reallly really bad. not there, but i feel for all the victims, who live in th building! hope no one was hurt!