By Thomas Tracy
New York Daily News
NEW YORK — Two firefighters were hurt as a raging five-alarm fire destroyed a Brooklyn warehouse and seriously damaged two other buildings early Wednesday, the FDNY said.
The fire broke out inside Universal Food Distributors on 53rd St. near First Ave. in Sunset Park around 12:15 a.m., officials said.
“Upon our arrival, we had heavy, heavy fire throughout a factory-type building, which extended to two other buildings,” FDNY Chief of Operations Kevin Woods said at the scene. “We immediately went to an exterior operation.”
Multiple tower ladders were used to shoot water onto the fire. The FDNY also utilized two fire boats, which approached the waterfront factory from Bay Ridge Channel, Woods said.
“At one point, we were using approximately 15,000 gallons of water a minute (from the boats),” Woods said.
The fire was so massive that the warehouse’s roof and interiors collapsed, Woods said.
“We weren’t even able to get in there, there was that much fire,” he explained.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries — mostly from smoke inhalation — as they battled the blaze from the outside and were taken to an area hospital for treatment.
More than 270 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to combat the inferno.
By sunrise most of the fire was out, but small pockets of fire could still be found in the adjoining buildings, Woods said.
“We’re going to have our resources here for quite some time,” he said. “We’re bringing units in to relieve the other units.”
FDNY fire marshals will determine what sparked the fire.
Mayor Mamdani on Wednesday credited the FDNY’s quick response.
“I’m grateful to the brave firefighters and first responders who rushed toward danger to battle last night’s 5-alarm fire,” the mayor said on X. “Their courage, skill, and commitment keep our communities safe. Thank you @FDNY for everything you do.”
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