Overview

• The blaze ignited around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday at 481 Van Brunt Street and raced through the four-story, 19th-century building.
• More than 200 FDNY members, including marine units, fought the fire from exterior positions after conditions inside became too dangerous.
• The roof and part of the fourth floor collapsed, the fire was largely under control by about 6 a.m., and two firefighters sustained minor injuries.
• The warehouse housed dozens of artist studios, the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, and small businesses, with significant losses reported ahead of Red Hook Open Studios.
• City officials urged nearby residents to shut windows due to smoke, the Department of Buildings is assessing stability, and fire marshals are probing the origin and cause.