#USA #NY – A massive fire gutted the landmark South Bushwick Reformed Church on Friday afternoon, June 19, 2026, causing its steeple to collapse and leaving the 173-year-old wooden structure severely damaged.
Firefighters responded to reports of heavy flames at the church, located at 855 Bushwick Avenue near Himrod Street in the South Bushwick neighborhood, shortly after 1:20 p.m. The blaze quickly escalated to a three-alarm fire, drawing nearly 200 FDNY personnel to the scene. Dramatic video footage captured the steeple fully engulfed in flames before it toppled roughly 15 minutes into the response. Thick black smoke billowed over the neighborhood, visible from miles away.
The church, built in 1853 and designated a New York City landmark in 1968, stood as one of Bushwick’s oldest surviving religious institutions. It served generations of immigrant families and hosted community programs, including a food pantry. The building was empty at the time of the fire, and no civilians were injured. One firefighter sustained minor injuries but refused medical treatment.
By late afternoon, firefighters had contained the blaze, though deep-seated pockets of fire remained inside the structure. Officials indicated the church suffered catastrophic damage to the roof, upper sections, and steeple, raising the possibility of demolition. The fire did not spread to adjacent buildings, including the rectory.
Fire marshals launched an investigation into the cause, which remained undetermined as of Friday evening. No evidence of suspicious activity was immediately reported, though the church had faced prior structural concerns.
Community members and local leaders expressed shock and sorrow over the loss of the historic site, with some pledging efforts to rebuild. The incident drew parallels to other recent church fires. In April, a historic church in Astoria, New York, also caught fire, and last month in Washington D.C., a Catholic church had caught on fire. These fires follow a recent trend since 2021 of churches catching ablaze.
The South Bushwick Reformed Church, originally known as the South Bushwick Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, represented a tangible link to Brooklyn’s 19th-century history. Its destruction marked a significant loss for the neighborhood and the city’s architectural heritage.
Image: South Bushwick ablaze on Friday, June 19th, 2026, with the spire ruined.
