The fire started around 3 p.m. and spread to a home next door. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames by 4:30 p.m., according to WPIX.
The fire commissioner and Mayor Bill de Blasio spoke at the scene.
“This is the biggest loss of life in a New York City fire in roughly two years. There will be a full investigation by our fire marshalls,” de Blasio said in a series of tweets. “We don’t have all the answers about what happened here. Our job now is to get down to the bottom of what happened and do everything we can to make sure that no family ever suffers like this again. ”
This is the biggest loss of life in a New York City fire in roughly two years. There will be a full investigation by our fire marshals. pic.twitter.com/xPMjtR3jnY
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) April 23, 2017
We don’t have all the answers about what happened here. The 4-alarm fire was brought under control just in the last hour. pic.twitter.com/0FWNkjbbGC
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) April 23, 2017
Our job now is to get down to the bottom of what happened and do everything we can to make sure that no family ever suffers like this again. pic.twitter.com/8ldy5FsEnR
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) April 23, 2017
A man was seen being led away in handcuffs but it was not clear if he was involved, according to WPIX.
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire.
There are currently 5 critical injuries to civilians to report at 3-alarm fire, 112-16 208 St #Queens pic.twitter.com/uYHsO4WEu6
— FDNY (@FDNY) April 23, 2017
#FDNY members are on scene of a 3-alarm fire at 112-16 208 St #Queens. Follow @fdnyalerts for updates pic.twitter.com/AgVnw2Ybyt
— FDNY (@FDNY) April 23, 2017
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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