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19 Sep 2025

Demands to secure older buildings from fire risks

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Red Hook, Brooklyn – September 18, 2025 A massive fire that engulfed a historic warehouse in Red Hook erupted again nearly 24 hours after it was first reported, sending plumes of smoke over Brooklyn’s waterfront and injuring two firefighters.

The warehouse, a century-old structure known for housing artist studios and creative workspaces, was already severely damaged when flames reignited late Thursday evening. Fire crews had been monitoring the site for hotspots, but shifting winds and structural collapse appear to have triggered the second outbreak.

“This building was a cultural landmark,” said one local artist who lost decades of work in the fire. “It wasn’t just a workspace—it was a community.”

The FDNY responded with over 100 personnel and multiple ladder trucks. Two firefighters were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to officials. No civilian casualties have been reported, but the damage is extensive.

The cause of the initial fire remains under investigation. Early reports suggest it may have started in a lower-level studio, possibly due to an electrical malfunction or flammable materials stored onsite.

City officials are now facing questions about fire safety protocols in aging industrial buildings repurposed for creative use. Red Hook residents and artists are calling for better protections and emergency planning for vulnerable spaces.

“This is a wake-up call,” said Councilmember Alexa Torres. “We must ensure that our historic buildings are safe for the people who bring them to life.”