Brooklyn Fire: Six Dead in Sunset Park Row House Blaze

Six people died and nine others were injured when a fire tore through a two-story row house in Brooklyn early Thursday morning. The blaze occurred in the Sunset Park neighborhood, where more than 200 first responders arrived at the scene quickly.

Kevin Woods, the department's chief of fire operations, described the intensity of the flames at a press conference near the charred building. He stated that fire was visible on every floor upon their arrival. Woods noted that flames were blowing out every window and meeting responders at the front door.

Firefighters managed to rescue four individuals by entering through a rear entrance of the two-unit home. They reached two people who were trapped behind window bars. The fire also damaged an adjoining structure and was brought under control after approximately three hours.

Eight neighbors were displaced from their homes during the incident. City officials transported them to hotels for temporary housing. The mayor called the event a devastating fire for the community. He added that the neighborhood would take a long time to mourn the loss of neighbors and recover from the grief.

The fire department reported that all nine injured individuals are expected to survive. This group includes three firefighters and two police officers who sustained minor injuries. No names of the injured have been released to the public.

Fire marshals are currently investigating the cause of the blaze. Investigators found a lithium-ion battery at the scene, but it remains unclear if it started the fire. City property records indicate the home was built in 1915.

This incident follows a recent e-bike battery fire in the Bronx that killed a boy last week. Fire officials report that more than 400 fires in the city have been linked to lithium-ion batteries this year. Those fires have caused at least six deaths and more than 70 injuries.