A multi-alarm fire that erupted on a Saturday morning in the Flushing section of Queens injured at least 21 people and damaged multiple residences, authorities said.
The New York Fire Department reported that 19 of the injured were firefighters who were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Local broadcasters reported that none of the injured suffered life-threatening wounds, while accounts from emergency crews and local television described a range of injuries among responders.
CBS News New York said that none of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries in the blaze. Local station PIX 11 reported that five firefighters sustained injuries ranging from moderate to serious, and that one firefighter was hospitalized in serious condition.
The fire began at roughly 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT) in a residence near College Point Boulevard, according to the fire department. From that origin the flames spread to two adjoining buildings, prompting a large-scale response from emergency services.
Photographs published by PIX 11 showed dense smoke engulfing a continuous row of homes, numerous emergency vehicles clustered at the scene and firefighters operating from ladders to direct streams of water onto the affected structures. The television station also reported that many residents had to be rescued from the home where the fire ignited.
Officials have confirmed the number of injured and the locations affected, but details on the full extent of property damage and the status of displaced residents were not provided in the immediate reports. Emergency response and hospital transport were prominent features of the incident as crews worked to control the flames and treat those hurt in the operation.
This incident, occurring in a residential block in Flushing, required coordinated action from firefighting units and drew attention to the physical risks faced by first responders and the need for prompt medical care following large urban fires.
Location: Flushing neighborhood, Queens, New York City
Time: Around 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT)
Casualties: At least 21 injured, including 19 firefighters; reports indicate none with life-threatening injuries, though several sustained moderate to serious wounds.