Crime & Safety

VIDEO: Fort Greene Fire In Putnam's Pub

The neighborhood bar and trivia hub Putnam's Pub caught fire Tuesday morning, the FDNY said. The fire was under control by 12:17 p.m.

FORT GREENE, BROOKLYN — Putnam's Pub in Fort Greene, a neighborhood staple for drinks, dining and trivia, was empty and boarded Tuesday night after it caught fire late on Tuesday morning. There were no injuries, according to the FDNY. The FDNY got the call about the fire at around 11 a.m., and it was under control by 12:17 p.m., a spokesperson for the FDNY told Patch. The cause of the fire was still being investigated as of Tuesday night, the FDNY said.

The entire restaurant was boarded up during Tuesday's evening commute. Inside, the ceilings had fallen in, with loose wires hanging, and around 10 workers were assessing the damage. All furniture had been cleared out, much of the chairs burned and dozens of them piled up outside the establishment. A large dumpster on Myrtle Avenue was filled to the brim was debris. Passers by observed the hole of a former restaurant with gaping mouths.

"I hope this clears up soon because I was really looking forward to going there for some oysters," one man said.

Find out what's happening in Fort Greene-Clinton Hillfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Around 60 firemen were at the scene putting out the fire around 11:30 p.m., which spread through the first and second floors, according to an FDNY spokesperson. Video taken by a bystander Tuesday afternoon after the fire was under control (see below) showed the intersection closed off to traffic and several fire trucks parked on Myrtle Avenue.

An employee of Mr. Coco grocery store across the street from Putnam's said at 11:30 a.m. there was a large presence of fire trucks outside the building and a fire ladder going up to the second floor. An employee of Myrtle Deli & Grocery next door to Putnam's said he saw seven firetrucks and smoke coming out of the first floor. The FDNY had broken into the front door of the bar to fight the fire, he said. For the latest on Putnam's and other Fort Greene-Clinton Hill news, subscribe to the Fort Greene-Clinton Hill Patch for email newsletters and news alerts that go to your phone.

Find out what's happening in Fort Greene-Clinton Hillfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Videos from the scene during the morning showed heavy smoke billowing out of the first-floor bar and restaurant and firemen and trucks surrounding the corner of Myrtle and Clinton avenues. Putnam's is a beloved neighborhood establishment for weekly trivia, private events and casual drinks and dining.

My favorite neighborhood bar #putnams #clintonhill
A post shared by Nadia Hussey-Vidal (@lovemusicandbrooklyn) on Feb 14, 2017 at 8:35am PST
Oh no! not Putnam's!! I pray no one was hurt and I hope you guys get back on your feet soon! #clintonhill #putnams
A post shared by Nadia Hussey-Vidal (@lovemusicandbrooklyn) on Feb 14, 2017 at 8:47am PST




This is a developing story, check back for updates.

Photos by Sarah Kaufman/Patch and a screen grab of a video by @lovemusicandbrooklyn

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Fort Greene-Clinton Hill