Brooklyn Row House Fire Kills 6, Injures 9
Early Thursday a fire swept through a two-story, wood-frame row house in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park, killing six people and injuring nine others, among them three firefighters and two police officers. The blaze ignited on every floor, with flames pouring out of windows and meeting responders at the front door, according to Kevin Woods, the FDNY chief of fire operations.
More than 200 first responders tackled the inferno, rescuing four occupants through a rear entrance to bypass barred windows. A staircase inside the building partially collapsed as the fire spread to an adjacent row house, while damage was evident on structures to the left and right of the block. The fire was contained after roughly three hours, and eight displaced residents were placed in hotels.
Investigators have not yet determined the fire’s cause, but a lithium-ion battery was found at the scene. The department has not confirmed a connection, though the city has recorded over 400 fires linked to lithium-ion batteries this year, resulting in at least six deaths and more than 70 injuries.
City records show the row house, built in 1915, was sold a few years ago to One Golden Sunshine Corp. Complaints filed in 2025 alleged illegal conversion of the basement into an apartment and unauthorized subdivision of the first- and second-floor units into three apartments. Inspectors visited multiple times, most recently in August, but were unable to gain entry; the complaints were closed after repeated unsuccessful attempts, a standard protocol noted in a 2025 city audit.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the incident as “devastating,” noting the long recovery ahead for the densely populated, working-class neighborhood with large Asian and Hispanic communities. The nine injured are expected to survive, and no names have been released.
The tragedy adds to a series of high-fatality residential fires this year, including a Chicago townhome fire that killed four people on the same day and a mobile-home fire in Texas that claimed five lives last month. The U.S. Fire Administration reports at least 1,555 home-fire deaths nationwide so far in 2026.
Why it matters
The fire highlights safety risks in illegally altered multi-unit homes and the growing concern over lithium-ion battery fires for insurers and regulators.
FAQ
How many people were killed and injured in the Brooklyn fire?
Six people were killed and nine were injured, including three firefighters and two police officers.
What illegal building issues were reported for the row house?
Complaints alleged an illegal basement apartment conversion and unauthorized subdivision of the first- and second-floor units into three apartments.
Was a lithium-ion battery linked to the fire?
A lithium-ion battery was found at the scene, but officials have not confirmed it caused the blaze.
How long did it take to control the fire?
First responders brought the fire under control in about three hours.
Source: Insurance Journal. See the original source for full details.
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