Firefighters saved a historic Staten Island church featured in the 1972 film “The Godfather” after a four-alarm fire tore through a nearby vacant warehouse. More than 200 firefighters and emergency medical personnel responded to the blaze at Mount Loretto on Saturday evening. One firefighter suffered a minor burn injury to his leg, while the church and other nearby structures were spared. The fire was brought under control at about 8:30 p.m., but the warehouse sustained extensive damage and its roof collapsed.
| 1) | Warehouse fire erupts at Mount Loretto |
| 2) | Fire crews adopt a defensive operation |
| 3) | Historic church remains at risk |
| 4) | Wind and flying embers complicate response |
| 5) | Investigation continues after firefighter injury |
Warehouse fire erupts at Mount Loretto
The fire began at approximately 5:45 p.m. Saturday inside a vacant warehouse at 6581 Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island, New York. The building had reportedly been empty for five years. When firefighters arrived, they found heavy fire throughout the structure, prompting a large emergency response to protect the surrounding Mount Loretto grounds.
More than 200 firefighters and emergency medical personnel were sent to the scene. The incident was classified as a four-alarm fire, reflecting the scale of the response required to contain flames in the warehouse and prevent them from reaching nearby buildings.
Fire crews adopt a defensive operation
Because of the intensity of the fire and the condition of the warehouse, crews immediately shifted to a defensive operation rather than sending personnel deep inside the structure. Fire officials said the roof collapsed, creating a collapse zone that had to be maintained around the building for responder safety.
Kevin Woods, the fire department’s chief of operations, said crews used multiple large-caliber stream tower ladders and handlines to attack the fire from safer positions. This approach allowed firefighters to direct substantial amounts of water at the burning structure while limiting exposure to the unstable building.
“There is heavy, heavy damage to this structure, the roof did collapse, and right now we’re maintaining a collapse zone around that structure,” Woods said.
Historic church remains at risk
The warehouse stood near several important Mount Loretto structures, including two schools and the Old Church of St. Joachim and St. Anne. The ornate Catholic church is known for its exterior appearance in the baptism scene of the 1972 film “The Godfather,” giving it significance beyond the local community.
The church had already suffered major damage in a 1973 fire. Its façade survived that incident, and the building was rebuilt three years later. Saturday’s warehouse fire threatened the historic property again because of the close proximity of the burning structure and the potential for flames or embers to spread.
Wind and flying embers complicate response
Strong winds added to the danger as the fire spread through the vacant warehouse. Gusts carried burning embers toward nearby buildings on the Mount Loretto grounds, increasing the risk to the church, schools and other structures.
Firefighters contained the blaze before it could spread beyond the warehouse. Officials credited crews with managing the embers and protecting the surrounding properties during the operation.
“It’s very windy out here tonight. Our units did a great job with many of the flying embers, preventing additional structures from going on fire,” Woods said.
Investigation continues after firefighter injury
The fire was reported under control at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday. One firefighter sustained a minor burn injury to the leg while crews worked to contain the blaze. No further injuries were identified in the available account.
The warehouse was left with heavy damage, including a collapsed roof, and a restricted collapse zone remained around the structure. The Fire Marshal’s office was investigating the cause of the fire, and no cause had been determined.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A four-alarm fire broke out at a vacant Staten Island warehouse around 5:45 p.m. Saturday. |
| 2 | More than 200 firefighters and emergency medical personnel responded. |
| 3 | The nearby Old Church of St. Joachim and St. Anne was spared. |
| 4 | One firefighter suffered a minor burn injury to the leg. |
| 5 | The cause remained under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s office. |
Summary
Fire crews contained a dangerous warehouse fire at Mount Loretto before it reached a historic church, two schools or other nearby structures. The response involved more than 200 personnel and required defensive tactics because of the warehouse’s heavy fire conditions and subsequent roof collapse. With one minor firefighter injury reported and the cause still under investigation, the damaged building remained subject to a collapse zone after the operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the fire occur?
The fire occurred at a vacant warehouse at 6581 Hylan Boulevard on the Mount Loretto grounds in Staten Island, New York.
Which historic church was protected?
Firefighters protected the Old Church of St. Joachim and St. Anne, whose exterior appeared in the baptism scene of the 1972 film “The Godfather.”
Was anyone injured?
One firefighter suffered a minor burn injury to the leg while crews worked to control the blaze.
What caused the fire?
The cause had not been determined. The Fire Marshal’s office was investigating.
