10 Injured During Massive Fire In Williamsburg

NEW YORK — Ten emergency responders were injured Sunday while fighting a five-alarm fire that spread to nine stores in Williamsburg, according to authorities.

The fire department responded to the fast-moving blaze shortly before noon and arrived on the scene in the 100 block of Lee Avenue within four minutes. Video from the incident showed smoke and flames billowing and spewing from the roof of the structure.

“It was a challenging fire due to the hot weather and the fact that the fire had gained headway before they were able to get water on it,” Chief John Hodgens said during a press conference Sunday.

Firefighters had to use saws to cut security gates to access the blaze, which was fed by old lumber and an absence of sprinklers, according to authorities, who said the fire was under control by 4 p.m.

None of the injured fire department members suffered life-threatening wounds, but one firefighter required treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning. More than 200 fire and medical personnel responded to the blaze.

Hodgens could not immediately specify where the fire began. He said there were no members of the public inside any of the stores during the incident.