Nine people are recovering after fire burned through a tire repair shop and apartments upstairs early Saturday morning in Queens.
The FDNY said 120 firefighters battled the flames in a three-story Ridgewood complex at 19-05 Flushing Avenue near Metropolitan Avenue. The fire broke out around 4:00 a.m. and burned on every floor.
A three-alarm fire burns through a tire repair shop and neighboring apartments in Ridgewood, Queens. (Image: NBC New York)
“This was a deep-seated and stubborn fire caused by thousands of tires stored in the occupancy,” said FDNY Asst. Chief David Simms. “Anytime you get rubber burning, a tire fire… you put water on it, but it continues to burn.”
Part of the building collapsed in the back, forcing firefighters to race back outside. Four firefighters and five other people had minor injuries. Fire marshals are investigating how the fire began.
“I was concerned for all the people, concerned for my neighbors. I’ve known them for years” said Jesus Maldonado, the property manager and a tenant in the building, who became choked up with emotion as he spoke to NBC New York. “Making sure that everybody was okay — that was the first thing on my mind.”