1 dead, nearly 2 dozen hurt after Queens fire spreads to 3 buildings, officials say
1 Dead Nearly 2 Dozen Hurt in Major Flushing Fire
Bizeconanalysis.com – Tragedy struck Flushing, Queens on Saturday when a devastating fire left 1 dead nearly 2 dozen injured. The emergency unfolded just before 10 a.m. on 41st Road near College Point Boulevard, where flames rapidly consumed multiple structures in the residential neighborhood. According to fire officials, the blaze quickly escalated into a five-alarm fire, drawing more than 250 firefighters and EMS personnel to the chaotic scene.
Fire Spreads Rapidly Through Wood-Frame Buildings
The fire originated on the first floor of a two-story, wood-frame home situated within a row of five connected buildings. When emergency crews arrived, two buildings were already fully engulfed in flames, with fire spreading to a third structure. Kevin Woods, Chief of Fire Operations, explained the vulnerability of these historic structures. "These buildings in this row of five were built in 1930, so they're all wood. Wood-frame buildings," Woods stated. "The walls are wood, the floors are wood, the roof is also made of wood, so fire travels very, very rapidly."
The construction of these buildings made containment particularly challenging for firefighters. "Very difficult for us to get ahead of these fires and extinguish," Woods noted. The rapid spread of flames through the interconnected wooden structures meant that the fire could jump from one building to another with alarming speed, threatening the entire row of homes.
Rescue Operations and Casualties
During the intense firefighting efforts, at least one resident became trapped inside the building where the fire started. Firefighters successfully rescued this person from the second floor, bringing them to safety amid the flames. The FDNY confirmed that a 78-year-old woman who resided in one of the affected homes succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. Her identity has not yet been publicly released.
Among the injured, officials reported that a second resident suffered minor injuries. Additionally, at least 21 FDNY members were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. According to Woods, these firefighter injuries included heat exhaustion, smoke inhalation, and minor sprains and strains sustained during the demanding rescue operations.
Displaced Families and Ongoing Investigation
The fire caused heavy damage to multiple buildings, leaving several families without homes. The cause of the fire remains unknown as investigators continue their work. Once couple told CBS News New York in Chinese that they were grateful to have escaped one of the fire-ravaged homes, but they had to leave behind important documents, like passports and everything they've worked hard for since moving to the United States.
The Red Cross was immediately deployed to the scene to provide assistance to those impacted by the disaster. The FDNY announced that crews would remain on the scene "for quite some time" to monitor hotspots and prevent any rekindling of the fire. As the community begins to recover, officials continue to assess the full extent of the damage and support the displaced residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where exactly did the fire occur in Flushing? A: The fire broke out on 41st Road near College Point Boulevard in Queens.
Q: How many buildings were affected by the fire? A: Three buildings were fully or partially engulfed in flames, with the fire starting in one of five connected wood-frame homes.
Q: What is the current status of the fire? A: The fire has been brought under control, but FDNY crews remain on scene monitoring for hotspots.
Q: How many firefighters were injured? A: At least 21 FDNY members sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to local hospitals.