4 killed, including a child, in Flushing, Queens fire, FDNY says
A 3-year-old boy was among four people killed in a fast-moving fire in Flushing, Queens, on Monday, officials said.
The FDNY said the fire broke out just before 12:30 p.m. in the first and second floor of a three-story multiple dwelling at 44-49 College Point Blvd. in Flushing.
Three of the victims died at the scene. Another was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and died a short time later. Officials have not released any of their names at this time.
"A difficult and tragic day"
"Upon arrival, we had heavy fire on all three floors of this building. In addition to that, we noticed three jumpers, three people that jumped from the upper floors, three victims. There was also a victim trapped at the second floor, which our members removed via portable ladder," Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods said.
"This is a difficult and tragic day," FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said. "I can tell you that the Fire Department did an extraordinary job under difficult circumstances putting this fire out and saving people."
Woods said two firefighters were briefly trapped in the blaze when the stairs collapsed beneath them. They were pulled out.
"As all that is happening, other members are performing CPR on the victims in the street," Woods said.
"They dragged an elderly Asian man out of the building. He was covered in blood. I think he had first-degree burns," Flushing resident Vivian Marie said. "There was this lady that was crying outside, and I recently found out it was because she had a 3-year-old that was stuck inside."
"I was so scared"
In addition to the people who died, 12 others, including six firefighters, were also treated and were listed in stable condition.
The fire quickly grew to four alarms with more than 230 firefighters and EMS personnel responding, the FDNY said. Black smoke shot out the windows of the building. Residents impacted by the smoke in the area were advised to keep their windows shut while the FDNY battled the fire. Wind gusts helped the fire grow, fire officials said.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation. A witness told CBS News New York he heard a big boom before the fire.
"I was so scared," Wadud Mohamed said.
The Department of Buildings said it will investigate, adding it hasn't received a complaint for the building since 2010.
