A massive fire broke out in a Brooklyn supermarket, resulting in seven injuries and displacing around 30 residents as it spread to four neighboring apartment buildings. The fire started in Christa’s Kitchen & Market on Bushwick Avenue in Bushwick and escalated to a five-alarm fire with over 250 firefighters responding to the scene. Six firefighters and one civilian sustained minor injuries, with the injured firefighters taken to local hospitals for treatment.
FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Joseph Pfeifer expressed sympathy for the impacted community, which included residents from four different buildings engulfed by the flames. The fire, described as having a significant amount of fire by FDNY officials, began in the food store and quickly consumed two adjacent buildings as well as at least two buildings behind it. The wooden structures of the buildings proved challenging for firefighters, as they quickly caught fire upon the blaze’s arrival despite the quick response time.
Despite the immediate arrival of firefighters, the wooden structures of the buildings fueled the fire, making it difficult to control. Assistant Chief Thomas Currao noted the challenge of extinguishing fires in wood-frame construction. Fire engines were still on the scene, working to fully extinguish the fire while keeping a watch line in place to secure the area. The Red Cross also provided assistance to the 30 residents displaced by the fire, arranging for buses to take them to a reception center for further assistance.
Affected residents, such as Mark and Kat, were left shocked by the devastation caused by the fire. Mark, who lived in one of the apartment buildings, was speechless as he witnessed his home being destroyed. Kat shared that her grandmother, who lived in one of the burnt buildings, was not at home when the fire started, sparing her from harm. The smoke from the fire darkened the sky and was visible for miles, drawing the attention of residents, like Will, who witnessed the flames during their commutes.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, prompting fire marshals to conduct an investigation to determine its origin. The community was deeply affected by the fire, with many residents displaced and the surrounding buildings damaged by the intense blaze. The swift response of the FDNY, along with the support of organizations like the Red Cross, helped in managing the aftermath of the fire and providing aid to those impacted. The incident serves as a reminder of the destructive power of fires and the importance of fire safety measures in preventing such disasters in the future.
