Full Breakdown
Historic Staten Island Church Spared as Four-Alarm Warehouse Blaze Rages
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Four-Alarm Warehouse Fire Threatens Historic Church
On Saturday, October 17, 2026, a four-alarm fire erupted in a vacant warehouse at 6581 Hylan Boulevard on the Mount Loretto campus in Pleasant Plains, Staten Island. The blaze quickly filled the structure with heavy fire, prompting a defensive response from FD NY crews. Despite strong winds that sent embers across the site, firefighters prevented the flames from reaching nearby buildings, including the Old Church of St. Joachim and St. Anne—famous for its exterior shots in the baptism scene of *The Godfather*.
Background & Context
The Old Church of St. Joachim and St. Anne is an ornate Catholic landmark rebuilt in 1976 after a 1973 fire destroyed its original structure. It sits among 36 buildings on the Mount Loretto grounds, which are operated by Catholic Charities of Staten Island and include two schools and a senior center. The warehouse that burned had been vacant for at least five years.
Timeline
- ? 5:42 p.m. – First alarm received for a fire at the warehouse.
- 5:45 p.m. – FD NY units arrive; crews encounter heavy fire throughout the building and shift to a defensive operation.
- ? 8:30 p.m. – Fire is declared under control; crews continue to monitor hot spots overnight.
- Post-fire – Fire marshals open an investigation into the cause.
Data & Statistics
- Responders: More than 200 FD NY firefighters and EMS personnel deployed.
- Structure damage: The warehouse roof collapsed; a collapse zone was established around the unstable walls.
- Injuries: One firefighter suffered minor burns to a leg and was treated on-scene.
- Wind conditions: Strong winds contributed to ember spread but did not ignite adjacent structures.
Official Statements & Responses
FD NY Chief of Operations Kevin Woods briefed the media after the incident, noting the extensive damage to the warehouse and the need to maintain a collapse zone for firefighter safety. He highlighted the effectiveness of the units in containing the fire despite the windy conditions and confirmed that none of the surrounding schools, senior center, or the historic church sustained damage. Woods added that fire marshals are investigating the origin of the blaze.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There is heavy, heavy damage to this structure, the roof did collapse, and right now we’re maintaining a collapse zone around that structure,” — Operations Kevin Woods, said FDNY chief
- “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,” — Operations Kevin Woods, said FDNY chief
- “Upon arrival, units encountered heavy fire throughout the building and immediately went into a defensive operation,” — Operations Kevin Woods, said FDNY chief
- “We don’t know how it started, but it is being investigated by Fire Marshals,” — Operations Kevin Woods, said FDNY chief
What's Next
Fire marshals continue to investigate the cause of the warehouse fire. FD NY crews will remain on site overnight to extinguish residual hot spots and ensure the stability of the remaining structures.