Introduction to the Incident
More than 175 firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire which heavily damaged a shoe store and apartments above, displacing 12 residents.
Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
A three-alarm fire tore through a three-story building in Borough Park early Monday morning, displacing more than a dozen residents and heavily damaging a shoe store and apartments above it, officials said.
Response and Damage
Firefighters responded to 3901 13th Ave. around 2 a.m., according to the FDNY, and encountered heavy smoke billowing from the mixed-occupancy building. Residents reported smelling gas and hearing an explosion moments before the fire broke out.
Engine Company 282 and Ladder Company 148 forced their way into smoke-filled units and found the fire burning in the rear of Savon Shoes on the first floor. Officials said flames had traveled through “void spaces” to the apartments above.
Challenges Faced by Firefighters
FDNY Assistant Chief Kevin Brennan spoke to the media about the three-alarm fire at 3901 13th Ave. on Monday, April 28.
Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
“The building lacked windows for ventilation purposes, making the fire tougher for our members to fight,” FDNY Chief Kevin Brennan said. “The department store had a lot of stock. We had fire travel to the second floor through the void spaces, making it labor-intensive for our units.”
Firefighting Efforts
More than 125 FDNY personnel worked to bring the fire under control, using six hose lines on the first floor, the stairwell, and the second floor. Officials said that searches throughout the building were negative.
Describing the smokey scene, one resident said: “You couldn’t see the block, that’s how heavy the smoke was. It was like nothing I’d seen before.”
A displaced resident wrapped in an American Red Cross blanket stands outside 3901 13th Ave. in Borough Park
Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Aftermath and Support
The American Red Cross was on the scene assisting 20 displaced residents. One family was seen cradling their dog on the sidewalk as firefighters battled the flames.
The fire was declared under control at 3:45 a.m. The cause remains under investigation by FDNY Fire Marshals.
The Department of Buildings’ (DOB) Emergency Response Team is set to assess the structural stability of the building.
According to DOB records, the building has five open violations for failures to file periodic boiler inspections.
The American Red Cross assisted 12 residents impacted by the three-alarm fire.
Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Additional reporting by Adam Daly
Conclusion
The three-alarm fire in Borough Park resulted in significant damage to a shoe store and apartments, displacing 20 residents. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the building’s structural stability is being assessed. The incident highlights the importance of fire safety and the need for regular inspections to prevent such incidents.
FAQs
- What was the location of the three-alarm fire?
The fire occurred at 3901 13th Ave. in Borough Park. - How many residents were displaced by the fire?
20 residents were displaced by the fire. - What was the cause of the fire?
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by FDNY Fire Marshals. - How many firefighters responded to the incident?
More than 175 firefighters responded to the three-alarm fire. - What organization assisted the displaced residents?
The American Red Cross assisted the displaced residents.
