Kensington Auto Shop Fire Sends Smoke Over McDonald Ave

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An early-morning fire tore through an auto shop in Kensington, Brooklyn, sending a thick column of smoke over the McDonald Avenue business corridor and triggering a major response from the FDNY. Firefighters battled the two-alarm blaze for nearly two hours before getting it under control, with no injuries reported but the commercial building left heavily damaged.

Why it matters

Auto shop fires are a recurring risk in densely packed commercial areas of Brooklyn, with previous incidents resulting in injuries to firefighters and disruptions to nearby businesses. This latest incident highlights the potential dangers of such blazes and the importance of fire safety protocols for auto repair shops.

The details

The fire broke out before 6 a.m. on Saturday at 783 McDonald Ave., with flames quickly spreading through the auto shop and an adjoining commercial space. The FDNY dispatched 141 fire and EMS personnel to the scene, classifying it as a two-alarm fire that was finally knocked down after nearly two hours of work. The blaze sent thick smoke billowing through the McDonald Avenue corridor, briefly disrupting nearby storefronts as firefighters battled the flames.

• The call came in before 6 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
• Firefighters had the main body of flames knocked down after almost two hours of work.

What’s next

FDNY fire marshals have taken over the investigation, and the cause of the blaze remains under review. Officials said crews would keep monitoring for hotspots and evaluating structural damage before nearby businesses are cleared to fully reopen.