A massive four-alarm fire that engulfed a three-story mixed-use building at 44-49 College Point Blvd. in Flushing at around 12:30 p.m. today (March 16) killed four people, including a child. About 230 firefighters and paramedics rushed to the scene.
The fire broke out on the first floor and quickly spread to all three floors of the building, which housed a business and several apartments.
According to the FDNY, the raging flames forced people to jump from their upper-floor apartments. Another victim was trapped on the second floor.
“This is a difficult and tragic day. There were several victims of this fire,” FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said at the scene.
There were nine victims in total, including firefighters. In addition to the three deaths, two others are in critical condition.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
