Six dead after overnight fire tears through Sunset Park home on 58th Street

Six people were killed early Thursday when a fire swept through a two-story home on 58th Street in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, the FDNY said. Seven other people were hurt, including three firefighters, CBS New York reported.

What happened

The fire broke out just before 1:40 a.m. at 653 58th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, according to News 12. Firefighters found the first and second floors fully engulfed. The fire went to two alarms at 1:46 a.m., spreading to the building next door, and to three alarms at 2:10 a.m. About 230 fire and EMS members responded, and the main body of the fire was knocked down shortly before 2:40 a.m., News 12 said.

The second floor and the staircase collapsed, CBS New York reported. ABC7 said officials believe the fire started on the second floor before spreading through the building.

The victims

• Six dead: four people were found dead inside, and two others, a man and a woman, died after being taken to hospitals in critical condition.
• Seven injured: four residents and three firefighters. News 12 said two people had serious but non-life-threatening injuries and the rest minor injuries.
• Names and ages had not been released Thursday morning. NBC New York reported that more people were presumed missing; other outlets did not report that, and the FDNY was expected to give an update at a news conference.

The investigation

Hazmat teams were called in after lithium-ion batteries were found at the scene. The FDNY said it is not unusual to find these devices inside homes, and it has not said they caused the fire, CBS New York and NBC New York reported. Fire marshals are investigating, and the Department of Buildings and the city medical examiner were at the house Thursday morning.

The American Red Cross is helping residents who were displaced, ABC7 reported.

The fire comes a little more than a week after a 10-year-old died and four relatives were critically hurt when an e-scooter caught fire inside a Bronx apartment, according to CBS New York.

Getting rid of old batteries

The city says rechargeable and lithium-ion batteries should never go in the trash or recycling. Stores in New York that sell rechargeable batteries must take them back, and DSNY also accepts them at its special waste drop-off sites and SAFE Disposal events, according to the Sanitation Department. Tape the ends or bag each battery before dropping it off.

This story will be updated as the FDNY releases more information.