Firefighters battle blaze at NYPD evidence storage facility in Brooklyn

The city’s police store cars and other large pieces of evidence in the warehouse

An NYPD evidence storage facility in Red Hook caught fire Tuesday, releasing a massive plume of black smoke into the air.

The New York Fire Department described the blaze as a "3-alarm" fire. There are approximately 33 fire units and 140 firefights battling the blaze.

Eight people suffered minor injuries, authorities said.

The building that caught fire appears to be a part of the Erie Basin Marine Pound in Brooklyn. According to ABC 7, the NYPD stores confiscated vehicles inside the building as well as evidence that is too large for general storage areas.

According to CBS News, flames could be seen licking from the roof of the building. FDNY boats have responded to the scene and are spraying the building with water.

Thousands of NYPD vehicles are also parked on the pier where the warhouse is located.

Residents living in the area have been advised to avoid breathing in smoke from the fire and to keep their windows closed.

Police are anticipating delays in the area of Columbus and Halleck Streets.