At approximately 4:30AM a massive fire broke out in the Satmar Matzoh Bakery in Williamsburg – causing extensive damage. The 3rd alarm fire which originated in the basement of 799 Kent Avenue, was contained to the basement (where the bakery is located) – and did not spread to the upstairs of the building – which is the home of the Krula Cheder. More than 100 members of the FDNY were called to battle the fire, and Williamsburg Hatzolah was called to the scene to stand-by.
The fire was placed under control at approximately 7:30AM, and only two firefighters suffered minor injuries.
A YWN reporter (YW-88) who was on the scene spoke with FDNY Battalion #57 about the damage. The Chief said that “although there were reports of the flames showing throughout the entire structure, it seems that the flames were travelling up to the roof through various chimneys from the bakery – thus saving the entire Cheder building.”
YW-112 spoke with the Krula Mosdos a few moments ago, and they advised YWN that due to the smoke damage in the Cheder building, classes will (most probably) be held at the Krula Bais Medrash – located at 127 Wallabout Street.
The Matzoh bakery is the bakery belonging to the Satmar Chassidim – under the leadership of the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Yoel Shlita – and bakes tens of thousands of pounds of Matzoh each year. The bakery is a fairly new bakery, and their main bakery is located in Kiryas Yoel.
(YW-88 / YW-112 / YW-170 / YW-104 / YW-90)
9 Responses
it burnt more than 18 minutes! probobly too much damage to re-open this year. a shame.
every year you hear of another bakery burning down
What a shame. Very sad. Hopefully G-D willing they’ll still have enough Matzoh for Paesach.
What are we going to do for matzos this year???? there is going to be a major shortage.
Forget a major shortage. The other Matzoh bakeries are going to hike their prices.
Someone, I hope, is keeping an eye on this.
This was the Krula Matzah bakery, not satmar, at least on their boxes it says “Krula matzah bakery” and it was in the krula building.
we would love to know how this fire started
#7 you ever heard of the Matzah Mafia
Pictures from the building
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2008/02/more_matzo_trou.php