Earlier today, Queens was disrupted by a five-alarm fire that ravaged a residential building on Madison Street, between Seneca and Onderdonk avenues, injuring six people as reported by officials, NY1 has detailed the severity of the incident which involved both firefighters and a civilian sustaining injuries.
The Fire Department of New York was alerted to the fire around 3:30 a.m. and, shortly after responding, five firefighters were injured, including one struck by a falling air conditioning unit while battling the blaze that began on the first floor and rapidly intensified, even causing the roof to collapse into the top floor and the evacuation of four adjacent buildings, as Chief John Esposito stated in a press briefing, response efforts saw more than 270 personnel from a variety of city services engaging in this extensive operation. Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised their work, emphasizing that no lives were lost, an accomplishment attributed to the bravery and efficiency of New York's first responders he also addressed the impact on the community by saying, “While there wasn’t a loss of life, for the many New Yorkers affected by this fire, this will irrevocably change their lives,” as NY1 reported.
The incident has led to the coordination of various agencies including the FDNY, EMS, the Department of Buildings, and the MTA to manage the scene and care for those affected, according to statements obtained by NY1. The American Red Cross has set up a reception center at P.S. 239 for families in need, where they have already registered 15 households for emergency assistance including 26 adults and six children.
As the city grapples with the aftermath of the fire, street closures are in effect, with the New York Police Department maintaining security around the area the city is asking residents nearby to keep their windows closed to avoid smoke inhalation, and MTA buses were deployed to offer warmth to those displaced by the flames, as mentioned by Gothamist, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards confirmed that there were significant injuries but thankfully no fatalities, also mentioned were the recent events, this blaze falling on the heels of another serious five-alarm fire that had occurred in the Bronx.
