A two-alarm fire occurred yesterday afternoon at the Borinquen Plaza Houses in Williamsburg, prompting the evacuation of residents from multiple buildings and a large response from firefighters and emergency personnel. Two individuals sustained minor injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital, while streets were cordoned off as crews worked to contain the fire.
The New York City Council retweeted a post from Councilmember Jen Gutiérrez stating that her office was monitoring the ongoing two-alarm fire at Borinquen Plaza Houses. According to the social media post, two individuals with minor injuries were taken to a nearby hospital. It also noted that NYCHA arranged three MTA buses for residents needing assistance and opened a warming center at 70 Seigel Street.
My office is monitoring the ongoing two-alarm fire at Borinquen Plaza Houses. Two people with minor injuries are being transported to a nearby hospital. NYCHA has set up a warming center at 70 Siegel Street, as well as three MTA buses, for any residents in need.
— CM Jen Gutiérrez (@CMJenGutierrez) February 18, 2026
NYCHA response and where residents were sheltered
Borinquen Plaza is a multi-building NYCHA development in Brooklyn, and 70 Seigel Street is listed as one of its buildings. That address appears in city property records, per PropertyShark, and the development is listed on NYCHA's Brooklyn development pages.
Background on the development
Residents at Borinquen Plaza have long complained about aging infrastructure and recurring service problems, including raw sewage and flooding, issues detailed by The City. The development was also the focus of an unrelated police investigation earlier this month, when woman's remains were found in a bag in a building basement.
What officials say now
At the time of the council post, city officials had not released a cause for the fire, and crews remained on site. According to Councilmember Gutiérrez's office, the situation was being monitored, and NYCHA provided assistance to tenants, arranging temporary shelter and bus service for those displaced.
