Fast Moving Blaze Destroys 3 Flatbush Homes; Arson Suspected – Many Injured

A massive fast-moving four-alarm blaze ripped through three homes in Flatbush, early Thursday morning, as was reported by Yeshiva World News.

Edited by: JV Staff

Chief of Fire Operations Thomas Richardson said more than 170 firefighters and EMS personnel were on the scene at 1488 East 17 Street near Avenue N within 5 minutes and found three homes on fire at 4:05 am.

“They did make an interior attack into the main fire building, but they quickly had to evacuate that building, and we concentrated our efforts on the two exposures,” Chief Richardson said, according to a CBS News report.

Over a dozen civilians, including a 6-week old infant, were injured, along with three firefighters and two police officers. Most of them suffered smoke inhalation, and are all in stable condition in the hospital. They’re all expected to survive.

“Children were screaming, ‘help!’ I did not see them. Then I heard the voice of a man, and I came out right away. When I came out right away, I saw three houses on fire,” neighbor Philippe Naim told CBS2’s Aundrea Cline-Thomas. “Thank God everyone’s out, thank God, thank God.”

Yeshiva World News reported that Flatbush Hatzolah received multiple calls, and along with FDNY EMS treated and transported approximately 10 victims.

Highly credible sources confirm to YWN that NYC fire marshalls are in possession of a security camera footage of an individual seen running from the fire just as the fire started – in the home of a long-time Rebbi at Yeshiva Chaim Berlin.

YWN reported that there is additional footage showing the home literally bursting into flames – pointing to the fact that an accelerant was used.

CBS News reported that surveillance video from a nearby home shows a man pouring what is believed to be a flammable liquid beside a parked car, sources say. Investigators believe he was burned when the fire began and ran away.

Additionally, YWN is aware that authorities are investigating recent threats that were made to the home owner.  Thankfully, all homes had working smoke detectors, and no one was seriously injured or killed, according to the Yeshiva World News report.