8 Injured In Massive 3-Alarm NYPD Impound, Evidence Warehouse Fire

BROOKLYN, NY - At least 8 people were injured, mostly FDNY personnel, after a massive fire broke out in an NYPD auto impound and evidence warehouse in Red Hook late Tuesday morning.

At around 10:45AM, FDNY and NYPD responded to 700 Columbia Street in Red Hook for a fire inside an 8,000-square-foot NYPD evidence and auto impound warehouse. The blaze quickly grew to a 3-alarm fire as multiple vehicles and possibly lithium-ion batteries contributed to the intensity.

Firefighters had to pull out of the warehouse while battling the blaze after an explosion caused a partial collapse of the structure.

FDNY deployed drones at the scene to help get an aerial view of the fire and assist group personnel with fighting the fire.

FDNY officials said in a press conference from the scene that a total of eight people were injured as a result of the blaze. Three FDNY firefighters, three FDNY EMS employees, and two civilians all suffered minor injuries.

NYPD officials at the press conference also stated that cold case evidence that goes back years, in addition to historic department vehicles, were stored in the warehouse and possibly destroyed by the fire.

The extent of the destruction is currently unknown as firefighters are still battling the blaze. According to the FDNY, it may take days until crews can completely extinguish the fire and clear the scene due to “deep-seated” pockets of fire.

All 15 NYPD employees that were working at the warehouse were able to escape before the flames and smoke completely took over the structure.