On Saturday just before 6 p.m., a fire broke out in an abandoned warehouse on Hylan Boulevard between Sharrot Avenue and Mt. Loretto in the Pleasant Plains section of Staten Island. The flames quickly spread, sending thick smoke toward the Old Church of St. Joachim and St. Anne, a local landmark that dates back to the 19th century.
Firefighters respond quickly
FDNY Chief Kevin Woods arrived on scene and reported “heavy fire throughout the building” as the blaze roared inside the empty structure. A 911 caller initially believed the church itself was burning, but crews soon confirmed the fire was confined to the warehouse.
Chief Woods praised his units for their rapid action, saying, “Our units did a great job with many of the flying embers, preventing additional structures from going on fire.” The strong winds that day made the situation more hazardous, but firefighters worked methodically to protect surrounding properties.
Nearby facilities spared
In addition to the historic church, dozens of other buildings in the vicinity were at risk, including two schools and a senior center. Thanks to the coordinated effort of fire crews, none of these structures suffered damage.
The warehouse itself sustained heavy damage, and its roof collapsed as the fire was brought under control. One firefighter was treated for a minor injury and released after receiving care at a local hospital.
Investigation continues
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. FDNY officials have not released further details, but they emphasized that the swift response helped avert a potential tragedy involving the historic church and nearby community institutions.
Residents expressed relief that the landmark was saved. “That church has been a part of our community for generations,” said a local neighbor who watched the fire from a safe distance. “Seeing the firefighters protect it was a real comfort.”
Firefighters remained on the scene overnight to ensure the blaze was fully extinguished and to monitor for any hidden hot spots. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining vacant properties and the vital role of first responders in safeguarding historic and community assets.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
