Crime & Safety

Chemical Explosion Near Brooklyn Botanic Garden

No injuries after three chlorine tanks exploded at Sea Crest Linen Supply.

Three 60-gallon tanks filled with chlorine bleach exploded inside Sea Crest Linen Supply, 46 Crown St., just a half a block from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Sea Crest and fire officials confirmed. 

"It sounded like a big boom, and then I saw people running outside of the building," said Randall Pressley, the superintendent at 35 Crown St., across the street.  

Twelve fire trucks and 65 firefighters responded to the explosion, which took place at 11:30 this morning, an FDNY spokeswoman said.

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The facility, which launders linen, was evacuated, but there were no injuries or damage from the explosion, according to the FDNY.

Sorenz Falby, a 28-year-old auto mechanic was in his apartment, also at 35 Crown St., when the explosion occurred.

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"I thought it was a shot or something. Then I saw the firetrucks," he said.

Fire officials said they are still investigating the reason for the blast, however NY1 reports that fire officials, presumably at the scene, attributed the explosions to a worker mixing acid with the chlorine bleach.

Reached this afternoon at the facility, a Sea Crest official declined to give his name or comment on the explosion, other to say that there were no injuries or damage and that "business was proceeding as usual."


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