Overview
- The Ridgewood, Queens blaze ignited around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday on Madison Street, escalated to five alarms within an hour and was declared under control at 8:53 a.m., with more than 270 responders on scene.
- Six people were hurt in Queens, including five firefighters and one civilian, with two firefighters initially described as having significant injuries before officials reported all injuries as minor.
- Flames spread to adjacent structures in Ridgewood, the roof partially collapsed, and four buildings were vacated as operations moved to a defensive posture.
- The American Red Cross opened a reception center at P.S. 239 and registered 15 households — 26 adults and six children — for emergency assistance and shelter.
- On Monday, a five-alarm fire that began in a Bronx deli left two people with minor injuries, displaced residents from a building placed under a full vacate order, and drew scrutiny over three cars blocking hydrants and reports of nonworking smoke alarms.