6-alarm fire burns through vacant Brooklyn factory

EAST NEW YORK (WABC) -- A six-alarm fire burned through a two-story vacant food processing factory in East New York, Brooklyn.

The fire started at around 3:30 p.m. at the Blue Ridge Farms Plant.

At the height of the fire there were over 170 firefighters at the scene who were working to get the fire under control.

Once a important anchor for jobs in the Brooklyn community, Blue Ridge Farms closed down in the tough economy.

"It's sad, everyone in this neighborhood worked in that building. It's a shame to see it all go up in smoke, it's a shame," said East New York resident Luis Rodriguez.

Firefighters battled the smoke and flames around the plant's 9 interconnected buildings.

"We went to an exterior operation right away - because it's a vacant building, we have cold storage with caulking," said Assistant Chief Robert Boyce.

That is what FDNY officials believe is fueling the fire, and further complicating the efforts to knock down the building once and for all.

In the meantime, the smoke drifted across the train tracks, suspending J-train subway service in the area.

Howver, what worried some residents the most, was what they were breathing in.

"I hope there is no chemicals, and no danger to anybody," said East New York resident Bernard Couch.

CLICK HERE to see pictures from the scene. ---
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