Seven-Alarm Fire Burning in Williamsburg
More than 200 FDNY firefighters have been fighting what is now a six-alarm fire at a warehouse in Williamsburg since early this morning, The New York Times reports. More than 200 firefighters are working to contain the fire from both land and boats on the East River.
No one has been injured, but the nearby Star Energy oil refinery was evacuated as a precaution, according to the New York Daily News.
Smoke from the blaze is clearly visible from across the river in Manhattan as well as from the air.
Just landed at LaGuardia. Here's the Brooklyn fire from the air. Smoke trails forever pic.twitter.com/NOjGjOWkZn
— Gary He (@garyhe) January 31, 2015
This pic blows but shows you how long the smoke trail is. All of Brooklyn. pic.twitter.com/AWDBbBUD50
— Gary He (@garyhe) January 31, 2015
Officials told the Times that the fire at the CitiStorage building at 5 North 11th Street and Kent Avenue was being fueled by "boxes of paper records," the remains of which appear to be fluttering across the borough.
FDNY firefighters are also having to deal with below-freezing temperatures and high winds.
Hydrant at the 5-alarm warehouse fire in Brooklyn. FDNY dealing with high-winds & freezing temperatures. pic.twitter.com/iIF8SAZfgD
— FDNY (@FDNY) January 31, 2015
hard knock life for the firefighters dealing with that Williamsburg fire this morning pic.twitter.com/CwiV22aqsR
— Amber Rozay (@ambermyself) January 31, 2015
Update, 3:37 p.m. – Gothamist reports that the fire has been upgraded to seven alarms: "28 engine trucks and 15 ladder trucks are on the scene."
