Six firefighters suffered minor injuries while battling a four-alarm fire that damaged several restaurants in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The blaze began late Saturday afternoon in a commercial building on North Fifth Street and spread through connected spaces.
The businesses were evacuated before a sudden smoke explosion occurred during the response. Fire crews issued a Mayday call and temporarily withdrew after part of the roof became unstable, then returned to continue fighting the fire.
Businesses face an uncertain recovery
Fire officials brought the blaze under control later in the evening. The injured firefighters were taken to hospitals for treatment, and no serious injuries among customers or restaurant employees were reported.
The Department of Buildings is assessing the structure, while fire investigators work to determine where and how the blaze began. The damage affects several businesses in a busy neighborhood dining area, and the timeline for repairs and reopening remains uncertain.