New York City Building Fire Kills Six and Injures Nine

What changed

Six people died after a fire engulfed the first and second floors of a residential building near Sunset Park in Brooklyn early on 5 November 2026.

The FDNY said four people were pronounced dead at the scene. Two more, a man and a woman, died in hospital. Six civilians were injured, including two critically, along with three firefighters. More than 230 fire and emergency medical personnel responded after the blaze was reported at about 01:40 local time.

Why it matters

This was a major emergency inside a residential building, with flames already consuming two floors when responders arrived. The scale of the response reflects the immediate danger to residents and the complexity of getting people out while firefighters worked inside.

A lithium-ion battery was found at the scene, prompting a hazardous-materials crew to attend. Whether it played any role in starting or spreading the fire remains unclear. The cause is under investigation.

For now, the clearest facts are the human toll and the injuries still being treated. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was “heartbroken” and urged New Yorkers to pray for those recovering.