By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- A four-alarm fire broke out at a Brooklyn building housing three restaurants on North Fifth Street shortly before 5:30 p.m. Sept. 19.
- The fire spread through the cockloft — the space between the ceiling and roof — connecting the businesses, and triggered a smoke explosion about 35 minutes into the operation.
- FDNY officials transmitted a mayday “out of an abundance of caution” following the smoke explosion, which caused a localized roof collapse.
- More than 200 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the four-alarm blaze.
- Six firefighters suffered minor injuries and were treated at local hospitals; no other injuries were reported. The cause remains under investigation.
NEW YORK — FDNY crews battled a four-alarm fire that spread through three restaurants in a Brooklyn building Sept. 19, with a smoke explosion during the operation prompting officials to transmit a mayday.
Firefighters were called to the building, located on North Fifth Street between Bedford Avenue and Berry Street, shortly before 5:30 p.m. Fire officials said the blaze spread through the cockloft — the space between the ceiling and roof — from one restaurant into the two adjoining businesses.
“About 35 minutes into the operation, we had a smoke explosion,” FDNY Deputy Chief Michele Fitzsimmons said. “We transmitted a mayday out of an abundance of caution to make sure that none of our members were injured.” The department said on Facebook that the smoke explosion caused a localized collapse of part of the roof.
The fire reached four alarms, drawing a response of more than 200 firefighters and EMS personnel. Six firefighters sustained minor injuries and were taken to local hospitals for treatment; no other injuries were reported.
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire.