Queens Inferno Sends Seventeen Firefighters to Hospital

Clear Facts

• A five-alarm fire in Queens, New York, injured 17 firefighters and four others Saturday morning
• The blaze spread rapidly through three wooden apartment buildings built in 1930, displacing multiple families
• Firefighters rescued a trapped resident from the second floor under conditions of high heat and zero visibility

Nearly two dozen people were injured Saturday morning when a massive fire tore through multiple apartment buildings in Queens, New York. The five-alarm blaze sent 17 firefighters, two Emergency Medical Services personnel, and two civilians to area hospitals.

FDNY Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods reported that firefighters received the initial call just before 10 a.m. concerning a two-story wooden structure. Upon arrival, crews discovered two buildings fully engulfed in flames, with fire spreading rapidly to a third building.

“We want to thank the staff at all of these area hospitals for taking care of our personnel,” Woods said.

Firefighters faced extreme conditions as they pushed into the second floor to rescue a trapped resident. Woods described the environment as “high heat and zero visibility,” underscoring the dangerous circumstances first responders encountered. The rescued individual was transported to the hospital along with the other injured parties.

Fortunately, none of the injuries are considered life-threatening, according to Woods.

The five-alarm designation mobilized approximately 250 firefighters to battle the blaze. Woods characterized the damage as “heavy,” noting that numerous families have been displaced from their homes. The historic apartment buildings, constructed in 1930, were built entirely of wood—a construction method that contributed to the fire’s rapid spread.

The fire is now under control, Woods confirmed. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the destructive blaze.

This incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by New York City’s brave firefighters, who routinely put their lives on the line to protect residents. The wooden construction of these nearly century-old buildings presents unique challenges for fire suppression efforts in densely populated urban areas.

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