On a recent Thursday, ashes still clung to the storefront of Sunnydale Deli, and the windows of the flour-story edifice were charred around the edges. The building was quiet, except for the low droning of drills on wood that would eventually be scaffolding around the premises. But the silence was not always there.
The night before, a fire consumed the Bay Ridge building, sending dozens of families rushing out in to the streets. âÂÂFlames spread through all four floors, finally shooting through the roof in an inferno that lit up the night sky,âÂÂreported WABC 7, a news broadcast on television âÂÂOfficials say dozens of residents were forced to flee, many with young children.âÂÂ
The fire began at about 11:30 p.m., according to residents. Authorities were not notified until 11:44 p.m., when the blaze turned into a four-alarm fire. Five fire departments were notified. More than 160 firefighters from Engine Company 241, Ladder Company 109 and from three other precincts were called to the scene.
According to WCBS, Deputy Fire Chief James Leonard said the heat and humidity, and a delayed call to 911, made for a difficult night fighting the flames. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to two rooms in the building, but the smoke and heat led the fire to rise upward.
âÂÂWhen the roof caught fire, I just thought to myself, âÂÂOh my god,âÂÂâ said Michael Groysman, a bystander. âÂÂThe firefighters didnâÂÂt care about the building anymore, [they came] with ladders and axes and were busy breaking all of the windowsâ to get the smoke and heat out.
Almost three hours later, the fire was finally put out, but at a high cost. The blaze destroyed all of the sixteen apartments. However, all residents were evacuated in time. Twenty-eight peopleâÂÂsix residents and 22 fire fightersâÂÂsuffered minor injuries according to fire officials.
After the fire, the Red Cross arrived on the scene. Victims sought refuge at the Guild for Exceptional Children, a recreational center for disabled children, just a block from the incident. Others stayed at nearby hotels or with family members. Most residents lost their possessions in the building.
“I thought it was something small, that we were going to leave and we were going to come right back. I didn’t think it was this [serious],” said evacuated resident Rebecca Rivera. Many neighbors agreed that the damages are so severe that the building will most likely be condemned. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.