A devastating four-alarm fire erupted at a three-story commercial and residential building on College Point Blvd. in Flushing, New York on the afternoon of the 14th, resulting in the tragic deaths of three individuals, including a child, with several others sustaining injuries. The intense blaze led to severe structural damage and partial collapses, prompting some individuals to leap from upper floors in a bid to escape the engulfing flames.
After the fire was contained, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) held a press conference at the scene, where FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore disclosed that the incident took place at 44-49 College Point Blvd. The FDNY Queens dispatch center received the alarm shortly before 12:30 pm, and fire units arrived at the scene approximately four minutes later, discovering a raging inferno within the building.
The ground floor of the building was designated for commercial use, while the second and third floors comprised around five residential units. The fire spread vigorously throughout all three levels, creating a dire and perilous situation on site.
Approximately 75 fire and EMS units, totaling around 230 firefighters and emergency personnel, were deployed by the FDNY to engage in rescue operations. Despite facing extremely challenging conditions, the firefighters swiftly initiated firefighting and search and rescue efforts, successfully quelling the flames and extracting some trapped individuals.
Operational commander Kevin Woods detailed the rescue operation, recounting how firefighters arrived to find all three floors of the building consumed by the fire, witnessing three residents jumping from the upper levels for survival. Another trapped individual on the second floor was rescued using a portable ladder.
As firefighters advanced for fire suppression on the first floor toward the second floor, the building staircase suddenly collapsed, trapping two firefighters who were subsequently extricated with the assistance of their colleagues. An additional fire alarm “10-66” was then issued by the FDNY to summon more firefighting reinforcements to the scene.
Amid the rescue efforts, some firefighters administered CPR to victims on the streets.
The building sustained significant destruction, but the fire has been brought under control, as confirmed by the Fire Department. The Emergency Medical Services Deputy Chief Cesar A. Escobar stated that their team arrived at the scene within minutes and immediately commenced medical treatment on multiple injured individuals. The fire incident resulted in at least nine victims, of whom three died at the scene.
Two critically injured individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care, while the condition of the remaining injured victims is reported to be stable. Additionally, five firefighters sustained injuries during the rescue operation and were transported to hospitals for treatment, with their conditions currently stable.
Authorities verified that out of the three deceased, two were adults and one was a child. The two critically injured individuals are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
Fire officials noted that strong winds at the scene of the fire contributed to the rapid spread of the flames, exacerbating the challenges faced by the firefighting operations. In response, the FDNY stated that firefighters implement specific strategies for fire suppression in high wind conditions.
Presently, the Fire Marshal’s Office has initiated an investigation into the cause of the fire. The FDNY mentioned that further details regarding the identities of the victims and their relationships, among other aspects, are still under investigation, with no additional information available for release at this time.