Dozens displaced after massive fire tears through East New York apartment building on New Year's Eve
The FDNY says the fire started around 7:30 p.m. in the courtyard of the Boulevard Houses at 881 Schenck Avenue.
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Dozens of people are displaced after a massive fire tore through an East New York apartment building Sunday night.
The FDNY says the fire started around 7:30 p.m. in the courtyard of the Boulevard Houses at 881 Schenck Avenue. Construction material in the courtyard quickly ignited and spread to the nearby building.
"I've lived here 9 years. I've never seen nothing as bad as this," said Ketsy Serrano, a tenant.
Residents, like Ebony McJunkin, describe hearing small popping noises followed by a loud boom that sounded like an explosion. Within seconds, McJunkin says her third floor apartment was on fire.
"My whole back room was up in flames, fire coming through the window," said McJunkin .
The FDNY says seven people suffered minor injuries including two firefighters. The cause of the fire is now under investigation, but residents suspect fireworks played a role after they say they were told by fire officials a cannister was found nearby.
So far, the Red Cross has provided assistance to 12 households including 29 adults and 6 children. Many of them are now being put up in hotels.
The property managing company visited the site Monday morning to further assess the damage and to meet with city agencies.
