Six injured
Major Fire Rips Through Queens
Some reports indicate a total of six people hurt, with five firefighters and one civilian all suffering minor injuries, transported to local hospitals like New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital.
A major five-alarm fire broke out in a three-story apartment building in Ridgewood, Queens, early on January 6, 2026, injuring several people and displacing residents.
The blaze started around 3:24-3:30 a.m. at 1824 Madison Street, between Seneca and Onderdonk avenues, originating on the first floor of a two- or three-story residential structure. It quickly escalated to a fifth-alarm status by about 4:31 a.m., drawing over 270 firefighters and emergency medical personnel to the scene.
Injuries reported include two firefighters who sustained "significant" injuries after a flaming air conditioning unit fell from a window onto them below, and one resident, a 68-year-old man, with minor injuries.
A later update specified five firefighters injured, two with serious injuries. FDNY Chief Fire Marshal Daniel Flynn noted the injuries occurred during intense operations, but all were expected to recover.
The fire caused extensive damage, with the roof collapsing into the top floor, leading to the evacuation of four adjacent buildings. It engulfed multiple apartment buildings, displacing residents, though the exact number wasn't specified.
FDNY officials, including Chief of Operations John Esposito, described heavy fire conditions in the deli on the first floor upon arrival, with the blaze spreading rapidly.
The cause remains under investigation by FDNY Fire Marshals.
Authorities urged the public to avoid the area due to ongoing operations and smoke.
No fatalities were reported.