Bay Ridge Fire Today: Semi-Truck Bursts Into Flames Beneath Gowanus Expressway as FDNY Responds
A significant fire response unfolded in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, after a semi-truck caught fire beneath the Gowanus Expressway, sending thick black smoke into the surrounding area.
The New York City Fire Department responded to the incident at approximately 3 p.m. near 6502 Sixth Avenue, according to officials. The blaze prompted a substantial deployment of firefighters and emergency medical personnel as crews worked to extinguish the burning vehicle.
Semi-Truck Bursts Into Flames
According to the FDNY, the fire involved a semi-truck located beneath the Gowanus Expressway in Bay Ridge.
Video from the scene showed flames coming from the truck while heavy black smoke rose toward the expressway above. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, the truck was left severely charred.
The incident generated a major emergency response because of the vehicle’s location beneath a heavily traveled elevated roadway.
FDNY Deploys Nearly 80 Personnel
The FDNY said 79 fire and EMS personnel were called to the scene.
Firefighters worked rapidly to contain the flames and prevent the fire from spreading beyond the vehicle. Crews managed to bring the blaze under control in just over 30 minutes, according to officials.
Despite the size of the emergency response, authorities reported that no one was injured.
Traffic and Smoke Concerns
The fire occurred beneath the Gowanus Expressway, creating a potentially challenging situation for motorists and emergency crews operating in the area.
Smoke from the burning truck was visible around the expressway, while firefighters worked underneath the elevated roadway.
Motorists traveling through Bay Ridge were advised to exercise caution around emergency operations and allow responding crews sufficient space to work.
Cause of Fire Remains Unknown
The cause of the semi-truck fire was not immediately known, according to the FDNY.
An investigation may be required to determine what caused the vehicle to catch fire and whether mechanical failure or another factor played a role.
No additional information concerning the cause had been released at the time of the latest report.
No Injuries Reported
One of the key updates from officials was that no injuries were reported in connection with the blaze.
There was also no immediate indication that nearby buildings were damaged or that the fire spread beyond the truck.
The rapid response by firefighters helped bring the incident under control before it developed into a larger fire.
Bay Ridge Fire Investigation Continues
The Bay Ridge incident remains an active fire investigation as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the truck fire.
While the original reports described a multi-alarm fire involving a commercial or mixed-use building, current verified reporting instead identifies the incident as a semi-truck fire beneath the Gowanus Expressway at 6502 Sixth Avenue.
There is currently no verified evidence supporting claims that the September 12 incident was a multi-alarm commercial-building blaze or that more than 100 firefighters responded.
Developing Story
The Bay Ridge fire was brought under control after firefighters responded to the burning semi-truck Saturday afternoon.
At the latest update, no injuries had been reported, the cause remained under investigation, and the exact circumstances that caused the truck to catch fire were not immediately available.
Additional information may be released as the FDNY completes its investigation.
