The apparent gas-fed fire broke out in Universal Food Distributors, reported to be a soda and potato chip distribution warehouse, around 12:20 a.m. Wednesday.
The fire spread to two other industrial factory buildings and the first warehouse collapsed.
Bright orange and red flames could be seen glowing in the dark as black smoke billowed into the air.
"There is extensive, extensive damage to these buildings, just complete losses," FDNY Chief of Operations Kevin Woods said.
Firefighters pumped about 15,000 gallons of water per minute on the fire, both from land and from two fire boats.
"The main fire building did collapse. There is also the danger of some walls collapsing. We have to keep our distance," Chief Woods said.
Crews worked to prevent the fire from spreading to more waterfront properties.
Water soaked a nearby furniture facility, and the roof collapsed on a tile company filled with ceramics, porcelain, and the owner's cherished collection of Cuban cigars.
Officials say 270 fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene.
Two firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation.
"The smoke is not lifting," Chief Woods said of smoke conditions, but said there are no concerns regarding air quality.
Ahmed Ibrahim is one of the victims. His Jeep Compass now sits submerged in a parking garage filled with the water used to extinguish the five-alarm fire.
"I looked out and oh my god it was crazy," Ibrahim said. "The whole building, like the roof, is collapsing on each other. You could tell it was bad."
Claudio Camara lives two blocks from the fire scene. The flashing lights, blaring sirens and tell-tale smoke pulled him out of bed.
"You're waking up and everybody started going crazy," he said. "You didn't know what was going on. Basically, what you did was try to figure it out."
It's still unclear what sparked the blaze.
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