Six Injured in Fire at Historic New York Church
On the evening of April 23, a massive fire broke out at a historic church building located in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, New York. More than 250 firefighters and emergency medical personnel were deployed to the scene to combat the blaze.
Unfortunately, six first responders sustained various injuries during the rescue operations. According to official reports, the building is situated at the intersection of 12th Street, Astoria Boulevard, and 27th Avenue.
The fire initially started around 6:45 PM in a small auxiliary structure in the church courtyard. However, the flames quickly spread to the main historic building, engulfing the entire structure.
The scale and danger level of the fire were rapidly elevated to a five-alarm status. Due to thick black smoke blanketing the area, authorities advised local residents to wear masks and stay indoors as a precaution.
The intense flames were clearly visible even from a distance. Fire department representative Kevin Woods stated that rescuers entered the building and attempted to contain the fire using hoses.
However, due to the construction features of the old structure and voids within the walls, the fire spread to the roof very quickly. During the firefighting process, a portion of the church roof collapsed.
Falling bricks injured one of the firefighters, who was immediately transported to the hospital. To ensure safety, all residents of nearby houses were temporarily evacuated.
Local historians note that the building was constructed in the mid-19th century, around the 1850s, and was considered an important religious site in its time. The building had been vacant and unused for the past year.
Relevant authorities are currently conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Experts are also assessing the structural integrity of the remaining parts of the building.
