NEED TO KNOW
- Six people, including a firefighter, were hospitalized after a five-alarm fire in the Bronx, N.Y., on Tuesday, Jan. 6
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani and officials said that despite the large blaze, there were no fatalities
- More than 270 first responders assisted with the flames, and nearly 30 families have been displaced
Five firefighters and one civilian were injured in a five-alarm fire in Queens.
In a press conference shared by the Fire Department of New York on Tuesday, Jan. 6, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and officials shared that this was the second five-alarm fire of the New Year. No casualties were reported in either incident.
Tuesday’s fire began on the first floor of a multi-family home on Madison Street near Seneca Avenue just before 3:25 a.m. local time, ABC 7 NY reported.
While speaking to the media, Mamdani said more than 270 first responders arrived at the scene to battle the blaze.
“We eventually had fire on all floors,” Chief of Department John Esposito, FDNY, said, adding that the fire in the building caused the roof to collapse on the top floor.
“We vacated four of the buildings behind us. We did have several minor injuries to firefighters, including one firefighter that was struck in the head with an air conditioner that fell out the window,” Esposito continued.
That firefighter was transported to a hospital, though the chief did not specify where. The injured resident was taken to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, ABC 7 NY reported.
In a statement shared to the FDNY’s Facebook account, Chief of EMS Operations Paul Miano said all six individuals were treated for “minor injuries.”
The department also shared footage of the firefighters in action, working together to douse the flames.
Almost 30 families have been displaced, with the American Red Cross assisting those who have been affected.
Jaelene Gomez told CBS News what she recalled of first responders waking her up to evacuate her building.
“It was like 3 a.m. I just woke up. In the shaft you hear popping. And I’m like, ‘What is that?’ And then the firemen starting knocking on our AC and our window, ‘Oh my God, there’s a fire. You gotta get out,’ ” she said.
Resident Joann Pucaria added, “I’m glad me and my daughter got out. You know, things can be replaced, but it’s hard. You gotta start all over from nothing.”
The cause of Tuesday’s fire was not shared during the press conference, but Mamdani told reporters that when he was at the scene of a five-alarm fire in the Bronx on Monday, Jan. 5, “there were three cars that were double-parked in front of fire hydrants.”
The mayor added that the vehicles caused a delay in response time. Still, Mamdani thanked first responders for their dedication to saving lives in both blazes.
“I do also have to say that to have two five alarm fires without a loss of life is a testament and a credit to the incredible work of the first responders that we have here in the city, who have been pouring in,” Mamdani said.
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He continued, “Some of the same firefighters that are here today were in the Bronx yesterday, and we are asking the world of them and we are so thankful that they are able to keep people safe in this city.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the FDNY Fire Marshals.
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