Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement about the fire Wednesday morning in a three-story building on Flatbush Avenue near Farragut Road in which a twenty-four year-old man died and more than a dozen people were injured. In addition, there was substantial damage to Eglise Baptiste Clarte Celeste, a church located on the first floor.

“On behalf of the people of the Ninth Congressional District of New York, I want to share my condolences with the victims of this tragedy, their families, and the community of faith at Eglise Baptiste Clarte Celeste. We now have a responsibility to demonstrate our character as a community by working with the families that have been displaced to find permanent homes, to provide all possible assistance to the victims in this time of crisis, and the rebuild the church,” said Congresswoman Clarke.