Two FDNY firefighters were hurt during a three-alarm fire in an apartment building in Howard Beach on Thursday. Photos by Lloyd Mitchell
Photos by Lloyd Mitchell
The FDNY battled an intense three-alarm apartment building fire at the Greenwood Arms complex in Howard Beach on Thursday morning.
The first calls were received at around 11:20 a.m. after a fire broke out on the fourth floor of a six-story building at 86-10 151st Ave. Units from Engine Company 331 and Ladder Company 107 arrived on the scene to find heavy fire conditions that traveled through the walls to the sixth floor.
“As we started to open the walls up, it became apparent that the fire had extended,” FDNY Assistant Chief Joseph Ferrante, Queens Borough Commander, said. “This is a non-fireproof building. It’s made primarily of wood. The fire extended to the sixth floor and then eventually into to cock area of the top floor. At that point, we realized we had an advanced fire on our hands.”
The FDNY transmitted a second alarm at 11:41 a.m., and as the fire spread, it went to a third alarm at 11:54 a.m., bringing 33 units and 138 firefighters and EMS to the street between 85th and 88th Street.
The fire was brought under control at 1:28 p.m. and no civilians were injured. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and were transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for treatment. Ten apartments on the top floors were heavily damaged and the American Red Cross dispatched a team to connect with impacted residents and work with government partners to assess short-term emergency needs. Impacted residents who need help can go to the Red Cross reception center that was established at 149-30 88th Street, across the street from the scene of the fire.
“The fire today at the Greenwood Arms was devastating, and I commend the quick and heroic actions of the FDNY in bringing this under control before even more damage was caused,” Council Member Joann Ariola said. “Thanks…
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