Nearly two dozen people were injured Saturday when a massive fire erupted at an apartment building in Queens. The blaze broke out just before 10 a.m. in a two‑story wooden structure, quickly engulfing two adjacent buildings and threatening a third.
Firefighters responded to the alarm and escalated the incident to a fifth‑alarm fire, deploying approximately 250 personnel. Upon arrival, crews found the fire fully involved in two buildings and advancing toward a neighboring structure.
Rescuers entered the second floor above the flames despite intense heat and zero visibility, locating a resident who had become trapped. The individual, along with several injured firefighters, emergency medical services staff, and civilians, was transported to nearby hospitals.
Seventeen firefighters, two EMS workers, and two civilians sustained injuries, none of which were life‑threatening. Hospital staff were thanked for their prompt care of the affected personnel.
The fire caused extensive damage to the historic wooden residences, which were built in 1930, displacing many families. Cleanup and recovery efforts are underway to assess the full extent of the loss.
Authorities have declared the fire under control while an investigation into its cause continues.
