A fire in Elmhurst, Queens, resulted in the deaths of a 34-year-old woman and her newborn. The fire, which started on the first floor of a Dongan Avenue residence, spread to nearby buildings and caused injuries to several residents and firefighters, according to ABCNY.
FDNY officials reported that heavy equipment was used to clear debris from the building, leading to the recovery of the missing child. The fire was intense, forcing firefighters to temporarily withdraw after a floor collapse, while some residents remained trapped in the cellar. As per NY1, seven civilians and four firefighters were injured during the incident.
Officials discovered that two people had been trapped in the basement, prompting a re-entry during which the 34-year-old woman, Alcantara, was found deceased. Her infant daughter was later recovered on Wednesday afternoon as cleanup efforts continued. FDNY officials noted the significant impact of the fire on both the local community and the first responders.
A neighbor reported witnessing the fire and noted a man sustaining burn injuries while trying to extinguish the flames. The Department of Buildings issued a full vacate order for three properties, displacing dozens of residents. Records indicate that a 2022 complaint had raised concerns about an illegal basement unit lacking proper egress, which may have affected the incident. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Some displaced residents have questioned whether city authorities could have taken stronger action. The Department of Buildings had received complaints about the suspected illegal basement unit in 2009 and 2022, but after unsuccessful inspection attempts, the cases were closed.
