A two-alarm fire ripped through a residential block in Corona, Queens, on Monday, sending thick smoke over the neighborhood and triggering a massive FDNY response that neighbors will be talking about for a while. With reports of propane tanks on the property, firefighters quickly called in a hazmat team and spent hours wrestling the flames while surrounding streets filled with fire trucks and emergency vehicles.
The blaze broke out at 33-16 96th Street, where roughly 141 fire and EMS personnel were called in to tackle the two-alarm inferno, according to PIX11. The outlet reports that hazmat specialists joined the operation after crews discovered propane cylinders near the property. Officials told the station the response was ongoing into the evening and that the cause of the fire remained under investigation.
Hazmat Response And Propane Risks
Portable propane cylinders are a serious concern in any structure fire, because when they heat up they can create an explosive atmosphere instead of just a routine knockdown. That is why hazmat teams are often brought in whenever gas canisters show up at a fire scene. FDNY guidance on special hazards and fuel storage lays out the extra steps crews take to secure cylinders, ventilate the area and keep both residents and firefighters safe during extended operations, according to FDNY.
Building And Neighborhood Impact
Public property records list 33-16 96th Street as a two-family frame house, a detail that helps explain the heavy engine and ladder response from nearby fire companies. Local reporting noted that crews stayed on scene into the evening and that the incident drew roughly 141 FDNY and EMS personnel, per PIX11. Property information for the address is available through StreetEasy. Neighbors can expect FDNY presence and occasional disruptions to linger while investigators continue their work.
Investigation And Safety
Fire marshals and FDNY investigative teams will now dig into where and how the blaze started, scrutinizing possible fuel sources, the propane cylinders reported on scene and any available surveillance footage or witness accounts. Under department procedures, crews collect evidence carefully and stabilize the site before issuing a formal cause, and city agencies stand by to monitor air quality and broader public safety as needed, according to FDNY. Residents dealing with displacement or street closures can turn to city services for help until FDNY officially declares the incident under control.
