Firefighters protected a historic New York City church made famous by its appearance in “The Godfather” as a four-alarm fire devastated a vacant warehouse nearby.
More than 200 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to Mount Loretto in Staten Island after flames began spreading through the empty warehouse at about 5:45 p.m. Saturday, FDNY Chief of Operations Kevin Woods said during an evening news conference.
“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.
The fire erupted inside a vacant warehouse at approximately 5:45 p.m. Saturday. (FDNY)
“Upon arrival, units encountered heavy fire throughout the building and immediately went into a defensive operation,” Woods said. “We set up multiple large-caliber stream tower ladders and handlines.”
The warehouse, located at 6581 Hylan Boulevard, had been vacant for five years. The property sits near several other buildings on the Mount Loretto grounds, including two schools and the historic Old Church of St. Joachim and St. Anne. The church was featured in exterior shots of the baptism scene in the 1972 classic film “The Godfather.”
The vacant warehouse is situated near several other buildings on the Mount Loretto grounds. (FDNY)
The ornate Catholic church was largely destroyed in a 1973 fire. Its façade survived, however, and the building was reconstructed three years later.
Firefighters brought the warehouse fire under control at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday, preventing the flames from spreading to the surrounding buildings.
“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.
Firefighters contained the blaze and kept it from reaching nearby buildings. (FDNY)
Woods said one firefighter sustained a minor burn to his leg.
The Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating what caused the blaze.
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