How To Support Neighbors Impacted by the Devoe St Thanksgiving Fire

After a four-alarm fire devastated residents of 65 Devoe St. and neighboring units on Thanksgiving, North Brooklyn Mutual Aid and council member Antonio Reynoso are working to provide resources to those impacted.

The blaze, which started around 11:15 on Thursday night and took over two hours for FDNY responders to get under control, left multiple residents displaced and six firefighters injured. As a result, Antonio Reynoso and his constituent services team have made themselves available via phone at 718-963-3141 for anyone in need of assistance.

North Brooklyn Mutual Aid is also working to connect neighbors with temporary housing and other immediate and longer-term needs as the damage continues to be assessed. Those affected are urged to email [email protected], while any donations or leads on available housing are appreciated.

Individually, the following GoFundMes have been started to help impacted neighbors:

1. Nora and Marshall lost their Williamsburg home where they’ve rented and lived for almost 40 years. When they first moved to 67 Devoe Street in 1984, a friend said, “People in New York don’t move into their apartment, they marry it.” 2024 would have been their Silver Anniversary. Their home was a living monument with soul and history. They are among the first artists to reside in the neighborhood and witnessed it change from working class vicinato, to artist enclave, to what it is today.

2. Joseph and Zulma lived in their apartment for 30 years and everything they own was in it. They are currently living in a hotel.

3. Hee Jin Kang, her husband, and son lost everything they owned. There is no roof on her top floor apartment and she is beyond devastated to lose all that she owned.

4. Christian and Gabby’s apartment is uninhabitable and they will need to start again from square one. Furniture, clothing, electronics are just a few of many things that they lost and will need to replace over time.

5. Alexa is a freelancer whose livelihood depends on her materials and equipment. With no renters insurance to help clean, repair and/or replace items lost or impaired, she needs help to get through this immediate crisis with some financial support. 

6. Local entertainer Murray Hill‘s apartment, where he’s lived for over 20 years, was devastated by smoke and water damage. He has lost virtually everything from the roof over his head, to furniture, electronics, clothing, years of irreplaceable showbiz memorabilia, custom-made show suits, and so much more.