Four-Alarm Inferno Rocks Restaurant Row

Red emergency beacons on a floor — Photo: Anastasiia Skorobogatova / Shutterstock

A smoke explosion and roof collapse hit a Brooklyn restaurant blaze, injuring six firefighters, officials said.

Story Snapshot

Four-alarm fire broke out just before 5:30 p.m. at 135 North 5th Street in Williamsburg.
Fire spread through three restaurants; over a hundred firefighters responded.
Six firefighters suffered minor injuries after a smoke explosion and partial roof collapse.
Cause is under investigation; no serious civilian injuries reported.

What Happened On North Fifth Street

Fire Department of New York crews rushed to 135 North 5th Street in Williamsburg just before 5:30 p.m. Saturday after reports of heavy smoke and fire inside a restaurant row building. Officials said the fire began in the Juliette restaurant and then spread to the two neighboring eateries that share the structure. Flames moved through the roof area and into adjoining spaces. Commanders quickly called more units as the fire grew. The response reached four alarms as more companies arrived on scene.

Reporters at the scene counted more than one hundred firefighters working hydrants, ladders, and hose lines along North Fifth Street and the Bedford Avenue side. Fire officials said the building housed three restaurants and the fire spread from the origin point to the two adjacent businesses through the shared structure. Crews worked to cut off the extension and vent heat and smoke. Streets were shut down as engines, ladder trucks, and ambulances staged for relief and transport.

Injuries, Mayday, And A Partial Collapse

Roughly 35 minutes into operations, a smoke explosion rocked the building and a mayday went out for members inside, according to officials cited by local outlets. Commanders pulled crews back after a localized roof collapse and then sent teams in again once conditions allowed. Six firefighters suffered minor injuries during the incident. They were taken to local hospitals and were expected to be okay. No serious civilian injuries were reported by officials on scene.

Deputy chiefs described a dangerous interior marked by heat, smoke, and structural risk. A partial roof failure increased danger to members and forced tactical changes. This pattern is common in restaurant fires, where grease, ductwork, and concealed spaces can feed fire and trap heat. New York City fire safety guidance notes that cooking equipment causes nearly 60 percent of restaurant fires, with failure to clean as a factor in nearly a quarter. Investigators still must determine the cause in this case.

Why Restaurant Fires Turn Deadly Fast

Restaurant layouts often create hidden channels for flame and gas. Flat roofs, old timber, and shared ventilation can help fire spread across businesses. National firefighter case studies show how fast roof systems can give way over burning restaurants, with tragic results when crews are inside. This is why commanders watch for collapse signs and adjust tactics. Saturday’s mayday, withdrawal, and re-entry matched that training and likely reduced harm to the injured members.

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MAYDAY EXPLOSION: FDNY transmitted a 2nd Alarm Signal 10-66 at 135 N 5th St (Bedford to Berry) in Williamsburg. Active restaurant fire with a rear explosion and members reported trapped. Rescue 2 collapse units &…

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Officials said the cause remains under investigation, and damage assessments will follow. That process takes time. The city’s fire investigation and building safety teams must review the scene and the structure. For nearby families and shop owners, the focus now is cleanup and support. For readers who back our first responders, this is another reminder to demand strong code enforcement, real grease-duct cleaning, and swift penalties for safety lapses once facts are confirmed—so firefighters are not asked to risk more than they already do.