Five Alarm Fire @ Seder Matzoh Bakery
Image Donna@SJN
Today, December 17, 2025, a significant 4-alarm fire (which later escalated to 5 alarms) devastated the historic Seder Matzoh Bakery in the Borough Park/Kensington section of Brooklyn. The fire has been a major focus of the FDNY and local news throughout the day due to the injuries involved and the factory's century-long history in the community.
The fire broke out just before 2:00 AM. It was upgraded to a 4-alarm blaze shortly after 3:00 AM to bring in relief crews as the fire spread through the rear of the two-story building. It was eventually classified as a 5-alarm incident. While the fire was initially thought to be under control before dawn, it flared back up around 7:00 AM, requiring a massive secondary effort that lasted into the afternoon. About 30 minutes into the initial response, a rear porch collapsed, trapping one firefighter, he was quickly rescued and transported to the hospital with serious burns to his hands and potential respiratory burns. He is currently listed in stable condition.
Three people from an adjacent building were injured, including a 2-year-old child and two adults. All suffered from smoke inhalation but are expected to recover. The Seder Matzoh Bakery has been a staple of the neighborhood since 1919. Neighbors described the scene as looking like a "warzone" and expressed heartbreak over the loss of the facility, which is critical for hand-made matzah production ahead of the Passover holiday. The fire also reportedly damaged an adjacent auto repair shop that has served the area since 1998. FDNY Fire Marshals are on-site investigating the cause. Firefighters spent the afternoon using drones and ladder pipes to manage "hotspots" and monitor the structural integrity of the walls. Donna@SJN