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Henry Street resident James LaRosa said he saw an air conditioner on fire at 75 Pierrepont St. “Then it exploded and dropped to the ground,” he said. Photo courtesy of James LaRosa.
The Lede: Good morning. A fire broke out in a six-story rental building at 75 Pierrepont St. between Henry and Hicks streets in Brooklyn Heights on Monday at 3:34 p.m., injuring seven. The blaze temporarily trapped several upper-floor residents on the fire escape in the freezing cold, and quickly filled the neighborhood with billowing smoke.
The Rundown
Maduro says ‘I was captured’ as he pleads not guilty to drug trafficking charges: A defiant Nicolás Maduro declared himself “the president of my country” as he protested his capture and pleaded not guilty Monday to federal drug trafficking charges that the Trump administration used to justify removing him from power in Venezuela.
Fire on Pierrepont Street in Brooklyn Heights injures 7 — 3 severely: Two residents and one firefighter were transported to area hospitals with severe injuries, according to a Fire Department spokesperson.
New York leaders respond to the U.S. military attack in Venezuela: Elected officials across New York on Saturday reacted swiftly to the news of the early-morning U.S. military invasion in Venezuela which took President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores into custody and transported them to the U.S.
Pope Leo XIV urges respect for the people and sovereignty of Venezuela: The first U.S.-born pontiff in church history, Pope Leo XIV, expressed concern over the weekend about the United States-led capture of Venezuela’s president, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores.
MTA fares increased to $3 on Sunday: The fare increase takes effect in tandem with the MTA’s full transition into the OMNY system and as the 30-day MetroCard unlimited passes are phased out.
Brooklyn closes 2025 with lowest gun violence on record, DA says: Brooklyn ended 2025 with the fewest murders, shootings, shooting victims, and shooting homicides ever recorded, according to new figures released by District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, extending a five-year downward trend in gun violence across the borough.
Brookdale doctor charged with assault in New Year’s subway attack against elderly man: The NYPD identified the alleged assailant as 29-year-old Anton Aleshin, who is currently serving in a medical residency program at Brookdale University Hospital, according to his attorney.
Former Fort Hamilton High School principal Dr. Alice Farkouh dies at 86: Former Fort Hamilton High School Principal Dr. Alice Farkouh died on Thursday. She was 86 and is survived by her three children and grandchildren. Her husband Charles died in 2010.
Our world in photos: Swimmers, smiles, subway stations and more.
Our World in Photos
TORONTO — Pardeep Singh Nagra, right, runs into the frigid water as he takes part in a New Year’s Day polar bear dip at Sunnyside beach. Photo: Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP
More Brooklyn News
Staff Picks
READ: "Becoming a Centenarian: Like The New Yorker, I was born in 1925. Somewhat to my surprise, I decided to keep a journal of my hundredth year." (The New Yorker)
EAT: Here are the 21 best restaurants in NYC to have a good dinner — and also have fun — including four in Brooklyn. (The Infatuation)
CARTOON: The solar system. (Brooklyn Eagle)
LIVE: "Can Your Landlord Charge Extra for Building Amenities?" (NYT)
The Wrap
⌛ ON THIS DAY
In 1895, the Eagle reported, "One way of avoiding the income tax is to hire a lawyer to contest the constitutionality of the law. After you have paid his fees your income will probably be within the exempted figures." Click here to see what else happened on this day in history.
📔 IMPRINT
Actress Sophie Turner graces the latest cover of Porter Magazine.
👑 ROYAL WATCH
"Prince Harry to regain UK security, clearing path for a family visit: Report" (The Hill)
🏀 SPORTS
Brooklyn Tech fencing — a beast of a program (Brooklyn Eagle)
College Football Hall of Fame coach Lou Holtz
“Mr. Bean” star Rowan Atkinson
Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Elizabeth Strout
Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne
Former “Saturday Night Live” star Kate McKinnon
Click here to see a full list of birthdays!
Brooklyn Today’s editor is Scott Enman. Contact him at [email protected].