'Suspicious' Ditmas Park Fire Injures 5, Burns Down Old Victorian

Photos courtesy of @FDNY/Twitter

Update: City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn) released the following statement in the aftermath of the fire.

“As I’m sure it was for all who heard the news,” he said, “it was concerning to learn that a house fire occurred this morning in West Midwood, displacing and injuring six residents, including two children. At the same time, I am thankful that there was no loss of life, and my prayers for healing are with these victims as they recover at Kings County Hospital. I went to the scene this morning and saw the devastating aftermath the flames had on this beautiful tree-lined street. As we wait to learn more on how this fire occurred, I would like to thank the firefighters, police personnel, Red Cross representatives and all first responders for their swift, heroic actions. My office remains in contact with City agencies to ensure that these individuals receive all of the help they need during this difficult time.”

A massive fire tore through a three-story, 30-foot-by-60-foot Victorian home at 1312 Glenwood Road near the bottom of Ditmas Park early Thursday morning, sending five residents to the hospital, according to the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).

Firefighters rushed to the burning home around 4:40 a.m., said a spokesman for the department. The fire raged out of control for the next two-and-a-half hours.

Five residents with ”minor injuries” related to the fire were sent to Kings County Hospital in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, the FDNY spokesman said.

The source of the fire is currently under investigation, but FDNY officials are considering it “suspicious” at this time, he said.

Photos taken at the scene by the New York Rescue Response Team on Thursday morning show the home at 1312 Glenwood completely ravaged by flames.

Reporters at the scene also snapped photos of Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro inspecting the damage around 7:45 a.m.

Nigro reportedly believes the fire to be suspicious due to its sheer size.

The six-bedroom, 2,500-square-foot home on Gledwood was sold in late 2013 for $750,000, according to a listing at Brooklyn Hearth Realty.

At the time, the home was advertised as a historic fixer-upper. Its broker described it as a ”once-grand Victorian” sitting on “a park-like, tranquil street,” and encouraged renovations. From the listing:

“Surrounded by Victorian houses on tree-lined streets. This house has many original details, including parquet floors with mahogany trim, hardwood floors, stained glass windows, original beaded oak paneling, coffered ceiling, wide stairway with original banister, high ceilings, spacious rooms. Large front porch spans entire width of house. Driveway, 2-car garage, and private back yard.“

The home had recently been undergoing renovations, according to NBC New York.

NBC reported that the Thursday morning blaze broke out on the building’s front porch and “quickly spread throughout the structure and another house.”