Firefighters rushed to a private all-girls school in Williamsburg on Friday evening after smoke started pouring from the building’s exterior. Crews arrived just after 5 p.m. and found a fire burning inside the second-floor walls. City responders said the flames were quickly knocked down and there were no reported injuries.
FDNY On The Scene
The FDNY reports that the blaze was called in at 62 Harrison Ave shortly after 5 p.m., and firefighters discovered the fire burning inside the walls on the school’s second floor, according to News12. Local coverage noted video posted to the Citizen app that showed smoke billowing from the exterior while crews worked the scene. Officials confirmed to the outlet that no injuries were reported.
The Building And The School
Public private-school records list the property at 62–68 Harrison Ave as Bnos Yaakov Educational Center, a private Jewish girls’ school that reports roughly 700 students, according to ProPublica. The listing notes that the campus serves multiple grade levels and places the institution on Harrison Avenue. It was not immediately clear how many students or staff, if any, were on site when the fire started.
Smoke On Camera
Video shared through the Citizen app and referenced in local coverage showed smoke pouring from the outside of the building while firefighters worked to get to the fire hidden inside the walls, according to News12. The footage circulated on social platforms as crews operated on scene. Responders said the fast knockdown limited damage and kept the incident free of injuries.
Investigation And Next Steps
The FDNY’s Bureau of Fire Investigation typically reviews structural fires to determine their origin and cause, and the department says its fire marshals carry out forensic examinations once firefighters secure a scene, according to the FDNY. Any official findings or required repairs would be released after that review. School officials and city agencies are expected to share updates when more information becomes available.
