Early Saturday morning, a massive fire tore through a residential building in Queens, injuring nine people and challenging firefighters with the daunting task of quelling rubber-fueled flames. As reported by ABC7NY, the fire originated in a tire repair shop located on Flushing Avenue in Ridgewood, quickly spreading to the dwellings above.
Heavy smoke and blazing flames were visible as firefighters fought to contain the fire, described by FDNY Assistant Chief David Sims as "a deep-seated and stubborn fire." In the commotion to battle the flames, part of the building's ceiling collapsed, causing firefighters to withdraw momentarily, as per NBC New York.
The persistence of the fire was further complicated by the presence of thousands of tires, which fueled the blaze. "We pumped hundreds of thousands of gallons of water on this, and we're still not under control. We're going to be here for a while," Sims explained in a statement obtained by ABC7NY.
NBC New York reported that five civilians and four firefighters sustained minor injuries due to the incident. The injured were transported to the hospital to receive treatment. Over 120 firefighters and EMS personnel were at the scene, confronting the inferno that raged through the early morning.
Meanwhile, the community's spirit shone as the building manager, Jesus Maldonado, recounted his swift actions to ensure the safety of his neighbors. "When I was told this was on fire, I ran back up, and I asked everyone to get out of the building. We have a lot of elderly people in my building," Maldonado told ABC7NY.
His sentiment was echoed in an interview where he became visibly emotional, stressing his concern for the well-being of his long-time neighbors as reported by NBC New York.
The Red Cross is providing emergency assistance to those affected, offering financial aid and temporary housing to at least 19 adults and 6 children displaced by the disaster.
