Renaissance Plaza In Brooklyn Evacuated After Fire

Brooklyn Daily Eagle 3/27/09

It was a chaotic scene Thursday afternoon in Downtown Brooklyn.

Over a dozen fire and rescue trucks swarmed the Marriott building around lunchtime, after a fire broke out on the 21st floor.

The fire turned out to be small. But the evacuation was immense.

The entire building located at 333 Adams St./350 Jay St. appeared to be evacuated. Prosecutors, city attorneys, criminals, secret-service agents, and hotel guests lined the streets surrounding Renaissance Plaza.

No serious injuries were immediately reported, but according to an FDNY spokesman, some people were treated for smoke inhalation. It appeared to be an electrical fire and not suspicious, said Anthony Nardella, director of fire safety for Brooklyn Renaissance Plaza, LLC.

However, numerous people were seen suffering from asthma attacks outside the 32-story tower. Once EMS crews arrived on the scene, those people were treated with oxygen.

Dozens of firefighters with oxygen tanks stormed the building from both entrances. Though the fire was reportedly small, the massive response was due to the nature of the building, Nardella said. Inside are offices for the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, the New York City Law Department, and the U.S. Secret Service.