Firefighters protected a historic Staten Island church made famous by its appearance in “The Godfather” as a four-alarm blaze ripped through a nearby vacant warehouse.
More than 200 firefighters and EMS workers responded to Mount Loretto after the fire began spreading through the empty warehouse at about 5:45 p.m. Saturday, FDNY Chief of Operations Kevin Woods said at 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 at 6581 Hylan Boulevard had stood empty for five years. Its location near several Mount Loretto buildings—including two schools and the historic Old Church of St. Joachim and St. Anne—raised concerns. The church was featured in exterior shots of the baptism scene in the 1972 film “The Godfather.”
The five-year-vacant warehouse stood close to several other buildings on the Mount Loretto grounds. (FDNY)
A fire destroyed much of the ornate Catholic church in 1973, but its façade remained intact. The structure was rebuilt three years later.
Crews contained the warehouse fire Saturday night, preventing it from reaching nearby buildings. Officials said the blaze was under control by about 8:30 p.m.
“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 spreading to surrounding structures. (FDNY)
Woods said one firefighter sustained a minor burn to his leg.
The Fire Marshal’s office is investigating what caused the fire.
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