Tragedy strikes crown heights as three lives lost in devastating fire
In a heartbreaking incident, a fire broke out in a Crown Heights building early Sunday morning, claiming the lives of three individuals and leaving more than a dozen others injured, according to authorities.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) reported that three critically injured individuals were rescued from the scene but, tragically, were pronounced dead upon arrival at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, as confirmed by the NYPD.
The FDNY disclosed a total of 17 victims, with six sustaining injuries in the three-story building where the fire originated, and the remaining experiencing minor injuries in adjacent structures. Additionally, one firefighter is reported to have suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The emergency response unfolded after firefighters received a distress call at Albany Avenue and Park Place just after 4:30 a.m. on Sunday. Chief of Fire Operations John Esposito described the fire as “heavy,” swiftly engulfing multiple floors of the building, starting in the basement of the brownstone.
Neighborhood resident Abigail Cepeda witnessed the intensity of the blaze, stating, “This fire was extremely powerful; the whole house was on fire.” Chief Esposito emphasized the complexity of extinguishing such a formidable fire, highlighting the dangers faced by firefighters during the operation.
Mayor Eric Adams visited the scene briefly, acknowledging the gravity of the situation and commending the FDNY’s swift response. He expressed gratitude that the damage did not escalate further, considering the ferocity of the flames.
As investigations into the cause of the fire are underway, the community mourns the loss of three lives and grapples with the aftermath of this devastating incident.
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