Massive factory fire in Sunset Park spreads to multiple buildings, injures 2 firefighters
The fire quickly rose to five alarms just after 1 a.m.
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Firefighters are battling hot spots after a massive fire tore through three factory buildings along the waterfront in Sunset Park overnight Wednesday.
According to the FDNY, the fire broke out around 12:18 a.m. at 17 53rd St., between First Avenue and a dead end near the Upper New York Bay.
Fire officials say much of the building was already on fire when crews arrived, and the flames quickly spread to two nearby factory buildings.
Because the fire was so intense, firefighters had to fight it from the outside using tower ladders, large hose streams and FDNY fireboats positioned near the water.
At one point, officials say crews were pouring about 15,000 gallons of water per minute onto the fire in an effort to contain it.
Video from earlier in the morning showed heavy flames and thick smoke shooting from the buildings as firefighters worked from multiple ladder trucks.
Officials say the roof of the original building collapsed, and all three buildings involved have been heavily damaged or destroyed.
Building owners nearby say their buildings suffered water and smoke damage.
Building owner Simon Erin says he's never seen anything like it.
"It looked like a horror movie - that's really what it looks like. You had everything over here fully fictional like a regular block with trucks and employees and people working and businesses and now it's all completely destroyed," said Erin.
The fire response quickly grew to a fifth alarm, bringing 84 units and about 270 fire and EMS personnel to the scene.
The FDNY says two firefighters suffered minor injuries, mostly from smoke inhalation.
Fire officials say the fire remains active with hot spots, and crews must keep their distance because of the risk of additional structural collapses.
Firefighters are expected to remain on scene for an extended time, with crews rotating in and out as they continue working to fully extinguish the fire.
As of Wednesday evening, firefighters could still be seen on scene and on tower ladders.
Video Credit: @G_i_o_1
