NYC Mayor Mamdani and FDNY Briefing on Queens 5-Alarm Fire

Fire Response and Impact

• 🚒 A 5-alarm fire broke out early this morning in Ridgewood, Queens, affecting multiple buildings.
• 💔 While there was no loss of life, the fire will irrevocably change the lives of many New Yorkers.
• 🏠 An immediate response center has been set up at PS239, partnering with the American Red Cross to provide shelter and clothing to affected residents.
• ⚠️ This marks the second 5-alarm fire this year, highlighting an active fire season.

FDNY Operations and Injuries

• 💨 Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire on the first floor, which quickly extended to adjacent buildings through interior shafts.
• 💥 The roof of the fire building collapsed, and fire spread to all floors and neighboring structures.
• 🤕 Several minor injuries were reported among firefighters, including one who was struck by a falling air conditioner.
• 🏥 Six minor injuries in total were reported (five firefighters, one civilian), all transported to local hospitals.
• 👨‍🚒 Over 270 firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics were on the scene to combat the blaze.

Emergency Management and Preparedness

• 📍 Four buildings were vacated due to the fire's impact.
• 💡 Commissioner Escoll emphasized the importance of preparedness, urging residents to visit fdnymart.org for fire safety tips and smoke detector installation information.
• 📈 The city is on track for a very active fire season, making preparedness crucial.

Community Support and Prevention

• 🤝 Queensboro President Donovan Richards thanked first responders and pledged support for the nearly 30 displaced families.
• 🙏 He called on the community to assist families who lost everything, emphasizing the need for collections and support.
• 🚫 Mayor Mamdani highlighted preventable issues, such as double-parked cars blocking fire hydrants and landlords failing to ensure working smoke alarms, as factors that can impede response and safety.
• 🚒 The fire is still not fully under control, with firefighters applying water from the outside due to the building collapse and fire spread.