Massive fire engulfs century-old Astoria church, FDNY says

Six firefighters were injured while battling a massive five-alarm fire that tore through one of Astoria’s oldest churches Thursday evening, fire officials said.

The blaze broke out around 6:45 p.m. at the First Reformed Church of Astoria on 12th Street, between Astoria Boulevard and 27th Avenue, according to the FDNY. Officials said the fire began in a vacant rectory before rapidly spreading to the adjacent church, both structures more than a century old.

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The blaze broke out around 6:45 p.m. at the First Reformed Church of Astoria on 12th Street, between Astoria Boulevard and 27th Avenue, according to the FDNY

Fire officials said the age and structure of the buildings made the fire especially difficult to fight

More than 270 fire and EMS personnel responded, FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said

One firefighter was treated after being struck in the helmet with debris, and five others suffered non-life-threatening injuries

More than 270 fire and EMS personnel responded, with 84 units operating at the scene, FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said.

“When we arrived, this had escalated into a fifth-alarm fire,” Bonsignore said. “We had a significant number of resources here to bring it under control.”

The fire took several hours to contain, sending heavy smoke into the surrounding neighborhood and forcing some nearby residents from their homes.

Fire officials said the age and structure of the buildings made the fire especially difficult to fight. FDNY Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods said the flames created dangerous conditions.

“Once the fire gets into these old churches behind the walls and into the roof space, it’s very difficult to extinguish. And there was a major collapse danger to our members,” said Woods.

Firefighters initially attacked the fire from the inside but were forced to move outside when the structure’s stability became compromised. Woods said portions of the roof and walls collapsed, with at least one firefighter being struck in the helmet by debris.

That firefighter was treated at the scene and transported to a nearby hospital. Five other firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries, FDNY Assistant Chief of EMS Operations Kathleen Knuth said.

Neighbors described panic as smoke filled the air and emergency crews flooded the block.

“It was terrible. I was in panic,” one nearby resident said. “I wanted to get my family out because we’re really close to the church.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.