At least 12 people displaced after fire in problem-ridden Flatbush apartment building

A two-alarm fire at a Flatbush apartment building displaced on Thursday morning displaced at least 12 people, just over three years after a blaze in the same building left dozens of residents effectively homeless.

The fire broke out in a bedroom on the third floor of a seven-story building at 222 Lenox Road just before 10 a.m., according to the FDNY, and was beginning to spread to an adjacent unit.

More than 100 firefighters arrived on the scene as residents fled the building, but struggled to gain access to a fire hydrant blocked by an illegally-parked vehicle.

More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze. Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

A parked car partially blocked access to the closest hydrant. Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

No one was injured in the blaze, which was brought under control at 11 a.m. But the family of four who lived in the apartment where the fire started were displaced, according to News12 , and most of their belongings were destroyed.

One resident told the outlet that the fire “could’ve easily been avoided.”

Four other households registered for emergency housing and other resources from the American Red Cross, according to spokesperson Ned Klein, including nine adults and three children. But fire and water damage destroyed at least 13 units in total, according to a resident message shared with Brooklyn Paper, leaving dozens without homes.

Residents in need of assistance who have not yet connected with the Red Cross can call 1-877-RED CROSS (877-733-2767) and select Option 1.

The April 17 fire was the second to break out at 222 Lenox Road in less than four years.

In November 2021, a four-alarm fire damaged at least 33 apartments in the building and displaced dozens of residents. At the time, tenants told Brooklyn Paper their management company, Pinnacle Management, was “unresponsive” and unhelpful.

City records show that a vacate order issued after the 2021 fire is still partially in effect, as not all of the units affected have been repaired — and that the Department of Buildings only partially lifted the order last month, more than three years after the fire.

Firefighters helped residents evacuate from the building. Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

The building has racked up dozens of violations with DOB and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, records show. As of April 18, it had dozens of open HPD violations , ranging from leaky faucets to roach infestations and broken doors.

Pinnacle Management has a long history of tenant issues and legal disputes. Brooklyn Paper was not immediately able to contact Pinnacle or the building’s listed managing agent, Eddie Ljesjanin, for comment.

Update 4/22/25, 10:30 a.m.: This story and headline were updated with additional information about the number of people displaced by the fire.