3 firefighters injured, 18 people displaced in 4-alarm fire and building collapse in Williamsburg

Three firefighters were injured and 18 people displaced after a massive fire damaged three separate buildings in Williamsburg on Sunday night.

The FDNY received a report of fire at 927 Grand St., a mixed-use three-story building, just before 10 p.m. on May 3.

Flames quickly spread from the commercial business on the first floor into the walls and up to the second and third stories and the cockloft, according to FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief Paul Miller, then into an attached apartment building next door.

williamsburg fire — An exterior wall collapsed into the street. Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

firefighters on scene — Firefighters remained on the scene on Monday morning. Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

“Units operated as quickly as they could but found that the structural stability of the building was in question,” Miller said. “So, ensuring that all the occupants had been evacuated, we moved to an exterior operation.”

Firefighters triggered a second alarm shortly after 10 p.m., a third at 10:30 p.m., and a fourth just before midnight, per the FDNY, summoning more than 230 firefighters and paramedics to the scene.

At some point, the wall of 927 Grand St. collapsed into the street, Miller said. Firefighters evacuated two adjoining buildings after the rear wall collapsed, too, putting the attached buildings at risk.

Three firefighters were taken to local hospitals, per the FDNY, one with “moderate” injuries and two others with minor ones. No civilians were harmed, though several were evaluated by paramedics on the scene.

williamsburg fire collapse — Three buildings were evacuated due to severe structural damage. Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

building collapse — 927 Grand St., where the fire began, was largely destroyed. Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

The fire was placed under control at around 2:30 a.m. Firefighters and Department of Buildings personnel remained on the scene on Monday morning.

The Department of Buildings said the fire had caused significant structural damage to three buildings and issued full vacate orders for 927, 931 and 933 Grand Street.

At least 18 people registered for emergency assistance with the American Red Cross on the scene. Other residents in need can call 877-733-2767 and select Option 1.

All three buildings are to be sealed with a construction fence “in the interest of public safety,” a DOB spokesperson said, and the agency will be on the scene later on Monday for an interagency meeting. The cause of the blaze is under investigation by the FDNY’s fire marshal.