Authorities say four people are dead, including a child, after a four-alarm fire tore through a multi-family residence in Flushing on Monday, March 16.
Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Four people are dead, including a child, after a wind-driven four-alarm fire tore through a multi-family residence in Flushing on Monday, according to authorities.
The FDNY received a call just before 12:30 p.m. of a fire on the second and third floors at 44-49 College Point Blvd., and fire crews were on the scene four minutes later. As the fire spread through five apartments on the second and third floors, a fourth alarm was transmitted, bringing 74 units to the block between Avery Avenue and Pople Avenue with a total of 231 firefighters and EMS personnel to the scene, according to the FDNY.
A total of 231 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the scene of the fire, according to the FDNY. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Firefighters at the scene of a fatal four-alarm fire in Flushing on March 16. Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Three people were injured after jumping from windows on the top floor. Three people were found dead, including a juvenile, after they became trapped in a second-story apartment. As firefighters were climbing to the second floor, the staircase collapsed, trapping two firefighters, who were extricated and rushed to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
“This is a difficult and tragic day,” FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said at the scene. “There were several victims of the fire. I can confirm for you at this point that there are three fatalities and several very critical patients taken to the hospital. I can tell you that the Fire Department did an extraordinary job under difficult circumstances putting this fire out and saving people.”
After the Commissioner finished her press briefing, a fourth victim, a man who was rushed by EMS to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
A total of 231 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the scene of the fire, according to the FDNY. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
A total of 15 civilians were injured as a result of the fire. Two residents were rushed in critical condition at Jacobi Medical Center. Two civilians were transported to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where they were listed in serious condition with non-life-threatening injuries. in serious condition Six additional civilians were rushed by EMS to area hospitals, where they were listed in stable condition. Two civilians had minor injuries. Six firefighters were transported to area hospitals with minor injuries.
The fire was brought under control; at 2:44 p.m. FDNY fire marshals will determine the cause of the blaze.
Witnesses were stunned by what they saw.
Angela, a worker at Sky Stone & Cabinets at 44-37 College Point Blvd. who did not disclose her last name, was alerted to the fire by a pedestrian desperately trying to find a ladder to help save victims from the upper floors of the building.
“One lady was very brave. She jumped out of the window,” Angela said. “I saw her. She didn’t have shoes on.”
She fought back tears as she recalled rushing to the front of the building and seeing much heavier smoke.
“A young lady was screaming, she said her baby was still inside,” Angela said.
Brian Zhang, a worker at Impression Kitchen Cabinet & Bath Inc., at 44-35 College Point Blvd. was also alerted to the inferno by the pedestrian who entered his store searching for a ladder.
Zhang also witnessed a young woman screaming for her baby when he arrived outside the building.
“She was screaming that the window. She kept saying her baby was still inside,” Zhang said. “It’s just so sad, especially for the baby girl.”
Zhang added that the young woman had been at a nearby supermarket buying groceries when the fire broke out.
Wadud, an employee at the BP gas station across the street, could not believe how much smoke billowed from the building.
“There was so much smoke. The gas station was covered,” he said. “We were lucky.”
Jessica Wee, the owner of Riverdale LED Lighting said she was alone in her store at 44-33 College Point Blvd. when the fire broke out and she immediately left the area.
“I saw the smoke and just ran. I was scared,” Wee said after returning to her store at around 4 p.m. “It [the smoke] was very strong smelling. I couldn’t stand.”
State Sen. John Liu said he was “absolutely heartbroken” to learn of Monday’s tragic fire in Flushing.
“The hearts of our entire community are with all those affected by this devastating tragedy, especially the family members, friends, and loved ones of the victims,” Liu said. “My office will continue to monitor the situation and stands ready to assist any in need during this difficult time. Grateful to the rapid response of the FDNY, NYPD, EMS, and all first responders for their heroic efforts.”
Council Member Sandra Ung said she was deeply saddened by the tragic fire and thanked the FDNY and NYPD who responded quickly to the scene and worked under extremely difficult conditions.
Their swift actions undoubtedly prevented this tragedy from becoming even worse,” she said in a statement posted to social media. “This heartbreaking incident is also a reminder of how important it is for every household to have a plan in place in case of a fire.”
Ung said her office reached out to the American Red Cross to provide emergency relief and will continue to monitor the situation closely, standing ready to assist those affected in any way possible in the days and weeks ahead.
The American Red Cross registered one household, including four adults, for emergency assistance, including financial aid and temporary lodging.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with the community after this tragic fire,” American Red Cross External Affairs Officer Desiree Ramos Reiner said, adding that any residents affected by the fatal 4-alarm fire who did not connect with Red Cross responders when they were on scene should call 877-REDCROSS (Option one) for assistance.