Queens Fire Injures Six Firefighters and Displaces Residents in Astoria
A significant fire broke out in a residential building in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, New York, on Thursday evening. The fire, which started in an apartment at 27-21 12th Street, quickly escalated to a five-alarm blaze, spreading to the nearby First Reformed Church of Astoria. The New York City Fire Department reported that six firefighters sustained injuries while battling the flames, though all injuries were non-life-threatening. The fire prompted a large-scale emergency response, with at least 192 personnel, including firefighters and paramedics, attending the scene. The thick smoke from the fire forced residents to evacuate their homes, with many describing the situation as unbearable due to the strong smell and smoke infiltration into their apartments. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.