RIDGEWOOD, Queens (WABC) — The Red Cross says it is helping 50 adults and 10 children after they were displaced by a multi-building fire in Ridgewood, Queens on Tuesday morning.
Five firefighters and one resident were left injured in the aftermath of the blaze — including one firefighter who officials said is lucky to be alive after a window A/C unit plummeted to the ground, striking him.
“We are so thankful for (the response of emergency workers) to ensure that even at a fire of this scale, there was no loss of life,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasized during his briefing at the scene.
Mamdani also went to nearby PS 239 to speak with the displaced residents who were waiting there while FDNY crews worked to control the fire.
The fire initially broke out on the first floor of one multi-family home on Madison Street near Seneca Avenue just before 3:25 a.m. Tuesday.
Soon, flames spread to three adjacent buildings.
“In the fire building, the roof has collapsed into the top floor and extended to the buildings next door. We vacated four of the buildings behind us,” said Chief of Department John Esposito, FDNY.
Chantee Lans reports on the massive fire in Ridgewood.
This video is from a previous report.
According to the Red Cross, 50 adults and 10 children, forming 26 households, are now left homeless after the damage to their dwellings.
The Red Cross is providing the families with emergency assistance, including a safe place to stay, individual disaster care, recovery planning and other support as needed.
“Any residents impacted by this fire who need help with their recovery and have not already connected with the Red Cross should call 1-877-RED CROSS (877-733-2767) and select Option 1,” the organization urged.
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire.
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