Queens Fire: 1 Resident and 2 Firefighters Injured, 19 Displaced in Richmond Hill Blaze

Five-Alarm Fire in Richmond Hill

• 🚒 A five-alarm fire erupted in Richmond Hill, Queens, last night, engulfing four row houses.
• 📍 The blaze originated in the cellar, first, and second floors of one home on 108th Street and quickly spread to adjacent buildings.
• ⏱️ Firefighters arrived within three minutes to find heavy fire on every floor of all four homes.

Firefighting Efforts and Damage

• 🔥 It took over 200 firefighters two and a half hours to bring the fire under control.
• 🏚️ All four homes sustained extensive damage, with at least one partially collapsing.
• 🧱 The buildings are described as non-fireproof, contributing to the rapid spread and damage.

Injuries and Displacement

• 🤕 One resident and two firefighters were treated for minor injuries.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A total of 19 residents were displaced by the fire.
• 🤝 The American Red Cross is providing assistance to 17 adults and two children.

Investigation and Building Safety

• 🔍 Fire marshals are on the scene to determine the cause of the fire.
• 🏗️ The Buildings Department has issued a full vacate order for all four buildings due to concerns about structural integrity.
• 🥶 Neighbors reported being woken by sirens and seeing massive flames engulfing the homes.