Overview
- A fast-moving three-alarm fire gutted the South Bushwick Reformed Church on Bushwick Avenue, causing the historic steeple to collapse and destroying much of the upper structure.
- The FDNY deployed 63 units and about 192 fire and EMS personnel and had mostly knocked down the flames by mid-afternoon on Friday.
- The blaze was contained to the church with no civilians seriously hurt; one firefighter sustained a minor injury and declined further treatment.
- Officials have not announced a cause and said investigators will enter the scene once it is safe to determine origin and spread.
- The Greek Revival building dates to 1853 and the congregation traces to the 1600s, and Department of Buildings records show a 2021 violation citing a leaning steeple and loose roof materials followed by steeple repairs completed in 2022.