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‘The smoke was so bad.’ Fire breaks out in NYCHA high-rise in Claremont

Officials say the flames erupted around 3 a.m. on the tenth floor of the residential building at 1408 Webster Ave.

News 12 Staff

Mar 15, 2026, 12:09 PM

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A fire in a high-rise NYCHA building sent Claremont residents running into the cold early Sunday morning.

Soot now covers the walls and puddles of water line the floor of the 10th floor hallway at 1408 Webster Ave.

Neighbors tell News 12 the fire started in the kitchen, possibly from a dryer, before spreading into the living room of an apartment.

The fire broke out just after 3 a.m. and took about an hour for firefighters to get under control. About 80 first responders were on scene battling the flames.

Officials say the fire was contained to a single apartment. The two men who live there were taken to the hospital with minor injuries and are expected to be OK.

The Red Cross is now assisting residents affected by the fire.

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