BROOKLYN — A massive fire ripped through a 19th-century warehouse in Red Hook overnight, injuring two firefighters and leaving the building heavily damaged.
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The fire broke out just before midnight Wednesday in the vacant four-story structure, built in 1870. More than 250 firefighters and emergency personnel responded, battling the flames for nearly six hours before declaring the blaze under control early Thursday.
Just after 11:30 Wednesday night, the FDNY responded to a 5-alarm fire at 481 Van Brunt Street in Brooklyn. Units arrived in under three minutes. Over 250 firefighters and EMS personnel responded. Two firefighters were transported with minor injuries.
“This building is a very… pic.twitter.com/3ZWruEpSHL
— FDNY (@FDNY) September 18, 2025
Officials said the roof and part of the upper floor gave way during the fire, forcing crews to fight the flames from outside. Fire boats and drones were deployed to assist in containing the blaze.
“This type of heavy timber construction burns fast once the support beams catch,” said FDNY Chief of Operations Kevin Woods.
The injured firefighters sustained minor wounds, officials said.
The warehouse, which currently houses artist studios and was scheduled to host an exhibit next month, was empty at the time of the fire.
The New York City Department of Buildings confirmed Thursday that inspectors were on site conducting a structural safety review. “We’re on the scene now in Brooklyn’s Red Hook, conducting a structural stability inspection following a large fire that affected a warehouse. Our investigation is still ongoing but preliminary results show extensive fire damage throughout the structure,” the department said in a statement.
Fire marshals are investigating the cause.
We’re on the scene now in Brooklyn’s Red Hook, conducting a structural stability inspection following a large fire that affected a warehouse. Our investigation is still ongoing but preliminary results show extensive fire damage throughout the structure.
More to come… pic.twitter.com/TsGfCS5vzG
— Department of Buildings (@NYC_Buildings) September 18, 2025
Photos: Firefighters in Red Hook, Brooklyn battle a five alarm in an artist warehouse from Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The fire caused a roof to collapse. #LloydMitchellPhotography #FDNY #Firefighting #photojournalism #BrooklynPaper #journalism pic.twitter.com/ZHUJYIC0x2
— Lloyd Mitchell (@Lloydphoto) September 18, 2025
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