A fast-moving second-alarm fire ripped through a house on 42nd Avenue in Corona on Thursday morning, gutting the home and sending a thick plume of smoke drifting over the neighborhood near Citi Field. Neighbors said a convoy of engines and ladder trucks rushed onto the block as firefighters fought to stop the flames from leaping to nearby homes and small businesses.
FDNY: Call, Response and Damage
According to Eyewitness News, the FDNY said the first call came in at 10:15 a.m. for a fire on the second floor of the building. By 10:36 a.m., the incident had been escalated to a second alarm and crews on scene reported an interior collapse as they battled the flames.
In all, the department sent 46 units and 141 fire and EMS personnel to the block. Firefighters concentrated on keeping the blaze boxed in, working the perimeter to ensure it did not spread to adjoining structures while the house itself was destroyed.
Neighborhood Context
The blaze adds to a string of recent multi-alarm fires that have rattled Corona and nearby neighborhoods and raised fresh worries about building safety and the strain on emergency response. Earlier this year, multiple early-morning blazes in Queens were tied to hospitalizations and large FDNY mobilizations.
Local residents and advocates say an aging housing stock, combined with seasonal heating demands and other cold-weather risks, continues to set the stage for dangerous neighborhood fires that can quickly escalate.
Video and What's Known So Far
Video from the scene shows the Corona home fully engulfed, with heavy flames punching through the structure as dense black smoke rises over the block. Eyewitness News reports there was no immediate word on injuries or on what may have sparked the blaze.
Fire investigators are expected to comb through the charred remains and work with FDNY fire marshals to determine the cause before releasing further details. Neighbors have urged anyone who captured photos, video or witnessed key moments of the fire to share that information with investigators.
This story will be updated as officials provide more information about the investigation and any reported injuries.
