A Fire in Bushwick

Brooklyn, NY - UpFromFlames - Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 : goo

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Fires are not just a thing of the past in Bushwick. One happened just this morning, on Palmetto Street and Ridgewood Place.

Of course, I'm no reporter, just a teacher with a camera and a sense of history. So if i can narrate a bit from Bushwick's fiery past, I can tell you what these firemen from ladder Ladder 112/Engine 271 (and other companies) are doing here.

The fire fighter with the saw is about to cut a whole in the roof. Bushwick's older houses were such firetraps due to their common cocklofts, an "innovation" that circulated air with a connecting hollow area that stretched between homes, for a whole block. They have to make a hole in that roof and let the fire out, or it will explode out of the sides of the building.

They succeeded, and the fire did as it should, arching up in a cascade of smoke that enveloped the block.

The smoke looks menacing, but by 2nd period (9AM), it was out. sorry that these families lost their homes, but am glad that there were a group of teachers on hand to help out--to wake up the neighbors, call the FDNY, and even get some pictures to our CityNoise readers.

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