WILLIAMSBURG, Brooklyn (PIX11) – At least six people were injured when a fire broke out during Mass in a Williamsburg church on Easter Sunday, according to officials.
Officials said 150 parishioners were inside Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei when the blaze started. It began on the first floor before spreading to the second floor of the rectory building, according to the FDNY.
One firefighter fell through a hole in the second floor while battling the flames. He wasn't hurt and was able to bounce back and continue fighting the fire, the FDNY said.
The church has been on Seigel Street for more than 100 years. Community members told PIX11 News they were devastated to see their memories go up in flames.
"My nieces got baptized there, my daughters got baptized and that was 64 years ago so that was a long — that church has been here very, very long, especially for the community," Daisy Alicea said.
Officials have not confirmed the cause of the fire.
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.