Just six people were injured after an explosion rocked a Brooklyn block at midnight Tuesday evening, leaving dozens of residents displaced, Fire Department sources reported.
The FDNY said the blast and resulting three-alarm fire occurred at an apartment building located at 58 Vermont St., off Jamaica Avenue, in Cypress Hills.
The first Fire Department units arrived on the scene within three minutes, encountering heavy fire emanating throughout the three story building. The flames quickly extended to the exteriors of several adjacent structures.
More than 130 firefighters from 33 units responded to the blast, along with officers from the 75th Precinct.
Based on a preliminary investigation, Fire Department officials determined that the inferno began as a result of an explosion within the basement of 58 Vermont St. Crews from Con Edison responded to investigate whether it was related to a possible gas emergency.
Two people were on the top floor of the residence when the blast occurred, but they managed to evacuate on their own power, suffering only minor injuries. Four other residents were injured in the blaze, but miraculously, no one suffered life-threatening injuries.
Even so, approximately 54 residents on the block wound up being displaced because the explosion and fire led to concerns about the structural stability of other homes on the block, Fire Department sources said.
Members of the American Red Cross and the city’s Emergency Management Department provided the displaced residents with assistance.
FDNY personnel were able to get the blaze under control at about 1:37 a.m. The cause is now under investigation by FDNY marshals.
