Six Killed in Brooklyn House Fire; Cause Under Investigation

Six lives lost in Sunset Park

November 5, 2026 · 8:40 a.m. Central / 9:40 a.m. Eastern

Six people were killed when a fire tore through a two-story home in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood early Thursday, New York fire officials said. Firefighters rescued four people as more than 200 responders were sent to the scene.

Four people died at the scene and two others died after being taken to a hospital in critical condition, The Associated Press reported. Authorities had not released the victims’ names in the reporting reviewed.

Fire marshals are investigating. A lithium-ion battery was found at the scene, but officials have not determined whether it caused the fire, according to AP and Gothamist.

Rescues and injuries

Fire operations chief Kevin Woods said crews encountered fire on every floor. They entered from the rear to reach two people trapped behind window bars, AP reported. The blaze was brought under control after nearly three hours.

AP reported seven people injured, including three firefighters. Local station 1010 WINS later reported that two police officers were also injured. The reports describe different counts as information emerges.

Eight neighbors were displaced and taken to hotels, AP reported. Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the fire devastating and acknowledged the loss to the neighborhood.

What investigators have not determined

Finding a battery at a fire scene does not by itself establish how a fire started. The fire department said its marshals were investigating, and the cause remained undetermined in the available reports.

Earlier injury and rescue information may change as officials provide updates. Newstro has not independently identified the victims or determined the cause.

Where the fire occurred

Officials located the fire in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The star marks the neighborhood generally, not the home.

★ Approximate Sunset Park neighborhood in Brooklyn; no private address shown. Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Open map.

Thursday morning’s response

Times are Eastern on November 5 and are approximate where noted.

About 1:40 a.m.Fire officials received calls about the blaze, Gothamist reported.
Before 2:40 a.m.The main body of the fire was knocked down, according to the fire department and News 12.
4:28 a.m.The fire was declared under control, News 12 reported.
Later ThursdayOfficials reported six deaths and an ongoing investigation.