1 dead, 5 injured after cars catch fire on Brooklyn Bridge

What to Know

  • One person is dead and five have been injured in a multi-car fire on the Brooklyn Bridge Wednesday morning

  • Four cars were involved in a crash, and three cars erupted into flames

  • The deadly fire closed Brooklyn Bridge in both directions during the morning commute

One person is dead and five people have been injured in a three-car fire on the Brooklyn Bridge, police say.

The bridge was initially closed due to the deadly fire, but has since reopened Manhattan-bound lanes. Brooklyn-bound lanes remain closed, Total Traffic said, and some drivers were stuck on the bridge for more than two hours.

The blaze broke out about 7:14 a.m and was put out before 8 a.m. Four cars were involved in an accident and three cars erupted in flames, officials said.

Dramatic Video Shows Cars Ablaze on Brooklyn BridgeDramatic Video Shows Cars Ablaze on Brooklyn Bridge

Video from the bridge during the fire showed a large plume of black smoke coming from the three cars. Commuter Steven Miller came across the accident, and video he shot shows two cars in a ball of flames on the bridge, black smoke pouring into the sky. In the video, another commuter is heard saying he thought he saw a person in one of the vehicles.

Traffic was backed up on the bridge into Manhattan into 9 a.m. and officials were advising commuters take the Williamsburg Bridge as an alternative.

Check below for latest commuter and transit updates.