GREENPOINT — Four people were injured when a large fire tore through three apartment buildings Sunday night, FDNY officials said.
Flames erupted in 49 Diamond St., off Nassau Avenue, about 10:22 p.m. and quickly spread to the two buildings on either side, an FDNY spokesman said.
Fire on Diamond St. GP Brooklyn @FDNY did a great job. #thanks #cold #brave pic.twitter.com/xK9HdZekAq
— Katie Pergola (@RnsWthSquirrels) February 15, 2016
"I smelled smoke and saw lights flickering and heard sounds like firecrackers popping," said Jill Checker, who was cat sitting in a nearby home.
"The fire just kept growing and growing," she added.
She ran outside to see firefighters trying to put out heavy flames and saw people in the street covered in soot. She then went back inside to retrieve the cat she was watching, Larry.
"It was the craziest thing I ever saw. I saw the firefighters running into the building. It was like a movie," Checker said.
#Firefighters are currently battling a 3 alarm fire at 49 Diamond St in Bk. No injuries at this time. pic.twitter.com/836HdAXBbT
— FDNY (@FDNY) February 15, 2016
Two civilians were treated for minor injuries, as were two firefighters, an FDNY spokesman said. They were treated at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center and Bellevue Hospital, he added.
Two other civilians refused medical attention at the scene, the spokesman said.
About 168 firefighters helped bring the blaze under control about 1:28 a.m., officials said.
The fire's cause is still under investigation, officials said.
