**BROOKLYN, NY** — A massive, multi-alarm fire broke out late Friday afternoon in the Midwood section of Brooklyn, sending thick plumes of black smoke billowing over the borough and drawing a significant response from the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).
The blaze, which was reported shortly after 4:00 p.m., erupted at 1021 Avenue H. Emergency dispatchers received multiple reports of flames erupting from the structure, which quickly spread to adjacent buildings. As of 4:20 p.m., at least three buildings were confirmed to be involved in the fast-moving inferno.
Firefighters arrived on the scene to find heavy smoke conditions and visible fire erupting from the upper floors and roofs of the affected row houses. The FDNY has elevated the incident to a second-alarm fire, bringing in dozens of units and well over 100 personnel to combat the flames.
"It went up so fast," said a local resident who witnessed the start of the blaze. "You could hear the crackling from a block away before the sirens even started."
Avenue H has been cordoned off by NYPD officers to allow for staging of fire apparatus and to protect the public from falling debris. Power in the immediate vicinity is reportedly being monitored as electrical lines pose a risk to responders battling the heat.
There have been no immediate reports of civilian casualties, though emergency medical services (EMS) are on standby at the scene to treat any potential injuries. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the FDNY Fire Marshal’s office.
Residents in the area are being urged to keep their windows closed due to the heavy smoke, which can be seen for miles. Traffic is expected to be severely impacted in the Midwood area throughout the evening as crews work to fully extinguish the fire and dampen down hot spots.
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available from official fire department spokespeople.
