National First Responder Day turned out to be a hectic one for FDNY firefighters and EMS personnel with four major fires across Queens on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
One of the biggest responses was in Fresh Meadows after the FDNY received a call just before 9:30 p.m. reporting heavy fire on the first and second floors in a private home at 158-28 75th Road. A second alarm was transmitted at 9:44 p.m. bringing a total of 46 units to the block between Parsons Boulevard and 160th Street with 141 firefighters and EMS personnel. There were no reported injuries, and the fire was brought under control just before 10:20 p.m.
This fire at 158-28 75th Road in Fresh Meadows damaged the siding of a neighboring home.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
No injuries were reported at the Fresh Meadows house fire.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Inspectors from the city’s Department of Buildings were called to the scene for a structural stability inspection and they found heavy fire damage including charred wood framing and missing windows. They found the fire damage spread to a neighboring property at 158-32 75th Road where the siding on one exposure had melted due to the heat. As a result of the damage, DOB issued a full vacate order at 158-28 75th Road.
DOB inspectors issued a full vacate order at the home.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
As soon as the fire was out in Fresh Meadows, the FDNY received a call at 10:20 p.m. reporting a grease fire in an apartment on the top floor of a 12-story residential building at 153-30 89th Ave. in Jamaica between Burdette Place and Parsons Boulevard. The FDNY dispatched 38 units to the scene with 120 firefighters and EMS personnel. There were no injuries reported and the fire was placed under control just before 11 p.m.
Earlier in the evening, the FDNY received a call at 8:54 p.m. reporting a basement fire in a private home at 170-10 73rd Ave. back in Fresh Meadows and dispatched 21 units with 79 firefighters and EMS personnel. Three civilians with minor injuries were transported to area hospitals by Hatzolah and the fire was brought under control at 9:41 p.m.
Earlier on National First Responders Day, the FDNY received a call at 2:25 p.m. reporting a fire one the second floor of a two-story home at 94-25 115th St. in South Richmond Hill that spread to multiple adjacent properties. A second alarm was transmitted just after 2:30 p.m. bringing 46 units and 141 firefighters and EMS personnel to the block between Atlantic Avenue and 95th Avenue.
Three firefighters sustained minor injuries and were transported by EMS to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. The fire was brought under control just before 3:30 p.m.
The FDNY also fought fires in Jamaica and Hillcrest on Wednesday night, Oct. 28.Photo by Lloyd Mitchel
DOB inspectors were called to the scene and found extensive fire damage including portions of a missing roof in the original fire building at 94-25 115th St. and DOB issued a full vacate order on the property. DOB also issued full vacate orders at 94-21, 94-23, and 94-27 115th St. and issued a partial vacate order at 94-29 115th St.
An earlier fire in South Richmond Hill caused the most damage after a house fire at 94-25 115th St. spread to several neighboring properties.Photo via Citizen
A board-up company was on site to seal the building in the interest of public safety.
After the fire was extinguished, the American Red Cross was on the scene and registered four households, including 15 people, for emergency assistance. Their Disaster Action Team connected with the residents to make sure everyone has a safe place to stay while they begin to recover and to provide financial assistance for short-term emergency needs. In the coming days, Red Cross caseworkers will meet with each household to identify recovery roadblocks and connect them with longer-term recovery resources from government and/or community partners.
Any residents impacted by the fire who need help with their recovery and have not already connected with the Red Cross can call 1-877-RED CROSS (877-733-2767) and select Option 1.
FDNY fire marshals will determine the cause of all four fires.