Six firefighters were hospitalised with minor injuries after a four-alarm blaze tore through a restaurant building in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on Saturday evening.
The fire was reported shortly before 5.30pm at 135 North Fifth Street, between Bedford Avenue and Berry Street. The building contains three restaurants, including Juliette, where the blaze is believed to have started before spreading to adjoining premises.
More than 200 firefighters and emergency medical personnel were sent to the scene as flames spread through the area between the ceiling and roof.
About 30 minutes after crews began tackling the fire, a smoke explosion occurred inside the building, according to FDNY Deputy Chief Michele Fitzsimmons. No firefighters were trapped, but part of the roof later collapsed.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control shortly after 8.30pm. Everyone inside the three restaurants was able to evacuate, and no other injuries were reported.
Emergency medical officials said the six injured firefighters had minor injuries consistent with the demands of the operation. They were taken to local hospitals for treatment.
New York City’s Department of Buildings was assessing the structural damage on Saturday night. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
