A major five-alarm fire in Queens on Saturday left nearly two dozen people injured, including 17 New York City firefighters, as flames tore through multiple apartment buildings. The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) reported that two emergency medical services members and two civilians also sustained injuries, though none are considered life-threatening. The blaze broke out just before 10 a.m. in a two-story wooden structure, quickly spreading to adjacent buildings and prompting a large-scale response.
FDNY Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods said that when firefighters arrived, two buildings were already fully engulfed, and the fire was advancing to a third. Rescuers managed to reach a trapped resident on the second floor under extremely dangerous conditions, described as high heat and zero visibility. That individual was transported to a hospital for treatment. The five-alarm designation indicates that approximately 250 firefighters were deployed to combat the flames, reflecting the severity of the incident.
The affected buildings, which were constructed in 1930, are historic wooden homes—a factor that contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Woods noted that the structures suffered heavy damage, and numerous families have been displaced as a result. Fire officials worked throughout the day to bring the blaze under control, and by late afternoon they had achieved that goal. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities examining possible origins.
Woods thanked hospital staff for their care of the injured personnel and emphasized that all affected firefighters and civilians were receiving appropriate medical attention. The FDNY continues to monitor the situation, and support services are being arranged for displaced residents. Saturday's fire is a stark reminder of the challenges posed by aging wooden buildings in densely populated urban areas, where fire can spread quickly and endanger both residents and first responders.