Firefighters work to knock down a three-alarm fire at 145 9th St. in Gowanus Thursday morning.
Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Firefighters are still working to knock down a harrowing three-alarm blaze that broke out in Gowanus earlier this morning.
First responders received a call about the inferno just after 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21 and units rushed to 145 9th St., between Second and Third avenues, to find heavy fire emanating from the first and second floors of a 100-year-old, three-story, wood-framed dwelling.
At around 11:15 a.m., units reported that the fire had extended to the third floor of the building.
A third alarm was called at around 11:35 a.m. and more than 120 firefighters remain on scene, operating three hose-lines in an effort to knock down the fire.
Just before noon, members were withdrawn from the building in favor of a defensive fire attack, Fire Department sources said. Firefighters are currently operating a tower ladder to knock down the main body of fire.
Kate Bishop, the owner of Principles GI Coffee House nextdoor to the fire, said she was evacuated as the blaze swiftly grew out of control.
“It seemed pretty normal for a while, but then maybe 10 minutes later, there were four or five engines out here,” Bishop said. “FDNY was starting to break windows and we started to see more visible flames come out. It probably went from a zero to a two alarm fire in 15 minutes.”
The local coffee house owner said she’s already working with a local elected official to help provide aid for residents of the building where the blaze broke out.
“It’s just an obligation to take care of your neighbors,” Bishop said.
A man named Freddy said he lives in an apartment on the building’s third floor that was completely devastated by the inferno. He was at work when his superintendent called him to let him know.
Despite being left without a home for the holidays, Freddy says he is looking on the bright side, thankful that…
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