Flushing Fire Incident Leads to Multiple Injuries and Evacuations

On Saturday in Flushing, Queens, nearly two dozen individuals sustained injuries due to a fire, according to officials. The blaze occurred shortly before 10 a.m. on 41st Road, close to College Point Boulevard.

5-Alarm Fire Spread

Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods reported that the fire ignited on the first floor of a two-story wood-frame house, part of a row of five buildings. Firefighters arrived to find flames fully engulfing two buildings, with a third also affected. Woods explained, “These buildings were constructed in 1930, making them entirely wood, which causes fire to spread swiftly. It becomes challenging to control and extinguish such fires.”

Rescue operations were necessary, as at least one resident was trapped in the initial building and needed to be saved from the second floor. The fire escalated to five alarms, deploying over 250 firefighters and EMS personnel to the scene. The fire has since been controlled, but Woods stated that the FDNY will continue monitoring hotspots for an extended period.

Injuries and Displacement

The incident resulted in 21 reported injuries. Among these, 17 were firefighters, two were EMTs, and two were building residents. All were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, including cases of heat exhaustion, smoke inhalation, and minor physical strains. One resident received treatment in serious condition, while another was non-seriously injured.

The fire caused significant property damage, leaving several families without homes. The Red Cross is assisting those affected. Officials have advised nearby residents to keep windows closed to minimize smoke exposure. Expect road closures and traffic disruptions in the vicinity.