BROOKLYN — Brooklyn Criminal Court had to be evacuated Wednesday after a fire broke out inside, injuring a half dozen court officers and firefighters, officials and witnesses said.
Fire trucks filled Smith Street at Schermerhorn Street after a fire broke out in the building at about 4:04 p.m., an FDNY spokeswoman and local worker said.
Seven court officers suffered minor injuries and one suffered a moderate injury, the spokeswoman added. Three firefighters suffered minor injuries and one suffered a moderate injury.
Smoke and flames appeared to billow out a window in the building, according to video.
We had a fire today at the Criminal Court in Brooklyn. I almost died. pic.twitter.com/iWDaYfer8Z
— J. Hall (@jhallthedon) May 10, 2017
People were forced to leave the 13-story building and wait on the street while firefighters battled the blaze.
There were no immediate injuries, the spokeswoman added, and the fire appeared to be under control by 6 p.m., the spokeswoman added.
