NEW YORK – A Thanksgiving Day electrical fire that started in a tunnel on a Brooklyn street quickly engulfed a car parked on top of it – and caused the fire to spread to the fourth floor of a nearby home, FDNY officials said Thursday.
A two-alarm fire broke out in the Remsen St. mine. near Hicks St. in Brooklyn Heights at noon and set fire to a silver Subaru SUV parked nearby, FDNY Deputy Chief Stephen Corcoran said.
“We were in the process of putting out the fire under the car and also checking the surrounding areas for carbon monoxide or any build-up,” Corcoran said at the scene. “At that time a fire broke out on the fourth floor of (a) building.”
The FDNY said 25 units responded to the 12:05 p.m. fire, with 106 fire and EMS personnel on scene. No injuries were reported.
Three hours later, work was still going on, and the cause of the first electrical fire was still unknown.
“The cause of the building fire, which we suspect is related to an electrical fire in the street, is still under investigation,” Corcoran said.
The electrical fire was very difficult to put out, Corcoran said, and firefighters had to wait for Con Edison to arrive and shut off power to the building.
Extensive fire damage occurred on the fourth floor, and residents were unable to return Thursday.
Three buildings were evacuated, one due to fire and two because high levels of carbon monoxide were detected.
“We will remain on the scene until the carbon monoxide levels are reduced to zero,” said Corcoran, adding that once the levels are safe residents can return to buildings that were not destroyed by the fire.
While the fire destroyed the Thanksgiving plans of many residents, one family forced to flee had something to be thankful for.
“It’s a very stressful situation, especially on a holiday like Thanksgiving,” said Corcoran. “We were able to go in and prepare their Thanksgiving dinner for them and pack their food and give them to take to their relative’s house to eat there.”