Five-Alarm Fire Erupts at Brooklyn Church During Easter Services
A five-alarm fire broke out at Our Lady of the Rosary Pompeii in Brooklyn on Easter Sunday, interrupting services and prompting a massive response from the New York Fire Department.
The fire, which started just before 2 p.m., caused flames to shoot out of the church, as captured in a video posted online. At least six people, including three parishioners and three firefighters, were treated for minor injuries sustained in the blaze.
According to the FDNY, parishioners inside the church smelled smoke, evacuated the building, and called for help. First Deputy Commissioner Joseph Pfeifer stated, “While Easter services were being conducted, parishioners smelled smoke and immediately evacuated. There were about 150 parishioners inside. We responded to the adjoining building of the church. The fire was intense and quickly escalated to five-alarms.”
Fire officials managed to put out the fire on the first floor, but it had extended to the second floor. Fortunately, the church portion of the building was saved, with only some water damage reported.
Assistant Chief Michael Meyers praised the bravery of the firefighters, noting that one firefighter fell from the second floor but was uninjured and able to continue fighting the fire.
The fire was finally brought under control at 5:18 p.m., and FDNY Fire Marshals are currently investigating the cause of the blaze.
Brooklyn Diocesan spokesperson John Qualione expressed sympathy for the parishioners affected by the fire, stating, “People get very connected to their parish, so when you see a fire rip through the parish center and the rectory, you know those people that were in the mass that got out safely… They’re not going to have the joy of Easter fully today because they are mourning what has happened to their own church.”
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