NEW YORK — A historic Brooklyn church that traced its origins to the city’s early Dutch settlement era was largely destroyed in a massive fire that swept through the building overnight, causing its steeple to collapse and prompting a large emergency response, fire officials said.
The blaze erupted on Friday at the South Bushwick Reformed Church in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. The New York City Fire Department said the fire broke out at about 1:20 p.m. and quickly spread through the landmarked structure, drawing a three-alarm response involving dozens of fire and emergency medical units. Firefighters brought the bulk of the fire under control later in the afternoon, according to the department.
Video and eyewitness accounts from the scene showed flames and heavy smoke engulfing the church’s steeple before the structure collapsed. Witnesses reported the collapse less than 20 minutes after the fire was first reported. Officials have not released an estimate of the extent of the damage, but images from the scene indicated the church sustained severe destruction.
One firefighter suffered minor injuries while responding to the blaze and was treated at the scene, the FDNY said. No civilian injuries were immediately reported. Authorities said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The South Bushwick Reformed Church was built in the mid-19th century, though its congregation dates back much earlier, to Dutch communities established in the region centuries ago. The church was recognized as a historic landmark and was regarded as one of the neighborhood’s most prominent religious and architectural sites.
The building had faced structural challenges in recent years. According to records cited by preservation organizations, the church’s steeple was damaged during Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020. Repairs were completed in 2022 with support from donations and preservation grants, although previous inspections had identified concerns about the structure’s stability.
Residents gathered near the site as firefighters battled the blaze. Several community members expressed concern over the loss of a historic landmark, while preservation advocates said they were awaiting official assessments of the remaining structure. Authorities have not announced whether any portion of the church can be salvaged. Details regarding the future of the site remain unclear.
Fire investigators continued examining the scene on Saturday. City officials had not released findings regarding the origin of the fire, and no determination had been made public on whether the structure could be restored. The investigation remained active, according to the FDNY.
