A fire broke out at Our Lady of Rosary Pompeii Church in Brooklyn on Easter Sunday while around 170 worshippers were gathered there for service. The flames were first noticed behind the altar, and the fire quickly spread throughout the church. Five people, including three firefighters, were injured during the incident. The FDNY responded with 44 fire companies to extinguish the five-alarm blaze, which caused dark smoke and flames to be visible from the church’s windows and rooftop.
Despite the chaos of the fire, firefighters were commended for their efforts in putting it out. One firefighter fell through the floor but managed to recover quickly and continue battling the flames. The priest of the church expressed his gratitude that all worshippers were able to safely evacuate the building, even though the Easter service was interrupted by the fire. The cause of the fire was determined to be electrical, according to fire officials. The priest remained positive, stating that the church could be rebuilt, and that the congregation’s safety was his primary concern.
One worshipper, identified as Blanca, expressed sadness at the loss of the church where she attended daily. She described the church as a significant part of her life and mourned the damage caused by the fire. Despite the loss, she remained hopeful that the church could be repaired and continued to have faith in the spirit of Easter. The priest echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that even though the building was damaged, the congregation’s safety and well-being were more important. The fire was a significant event for the community, but efforts were already underway to address the damage caused by the flames.
The images of the fire shared by the FDNY showed the intensity of the blaze, with smoke billowing and flames visible from the church’s structure. With reports of minor injuries and the bravery of the firefighters in battling the fire, the incident highlighted the dangers faced by emergency responders in the line of duty. Despite the chaos and damage caused by the fire, the spirit of Easter and the resilience of the church community shone through, with plans to rebuild and move forward from this tragedy. The incident was a reminder of the importance of safety measures and preparedness in the face of unexpected emergencies that can threaten the safety of individuals and communities.
