Artists impacted by Red Hook warehouse fire navigate next steps

The FDNY says it has to make sure the building is safe before it can remove artwork.

Julia Burns

Sep 22, 2025, 9:53 PM

Updated 2 hr ago

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Artists impacted by a warehouse fire in Red Hook are looking ahead to what’s next after a five-alarm fire tore through the building Wednesday night. News 12 previously reported stakeholders in the building say about 500 artist’s work was inside at the time of the fire.
The FDNY says it has to make sure the building is safe before it can remove artwork, but many artists like Graison Schmidt believe work is likely damaged either from the fire, collapse, smoke or water damage.
"It's all been very surreal. You know, this is, it's a nightmare. It’s going to be really sad and devastating to see, you know, like the bones of what you loved. But I also I'm really eager to have more information and to be able to see what it looks like...I think a lot of us are just restless to find out," said Schmidt.
Artists tell News 12 they are still navigating the future but looking at new studio spaces.
Fencing sits around the building because firefighters say it’s at risk of collapsing.