> At a Glance
> – A five-alarm fire tore through a multi-family home on 1824 Madison Street in Queens early Tuesday
> – Six people, including one firefighter, sustained minor injuries
> – Nearly 30 families are now displaced, with the Red Cross offering aid
> – Why it matters: Back-to-back five-alarm fires tested FDNY resources within 24 hours, yet no lives were lost
Flames erupted just before 3:25 a.m. on Jan. 6, quickly consuming all floors and collapsing the roof of the Madison Street building near Seneca Avenue.
Fast-Spreading Fire Tests 270+ Responders
Chief John Esposito said crews found fire on every floor and had to evacuate four adjacent buildings. An air conditioner plunged from a window, striking one firefighter in the head; that member and five other injured people were transported for treatment.
Chief Paul Miano confirmed all injuries were minor.
Community Rallies After Overnight Evacuation
Residents described abrupt wake-up calls:
- Popping sounds echoed through the shaft before 3 a.m.
- Firefighters pounded on windows shouting evacuation orders
- Families fled with only the clothes on their backs
> “I’m glad me and my daughter got out. Things can be replaced, but it’s hard. You gotta start all over from nothing,” Joann Pucaria said.
Cause Still Unknown; Mayor Notes Hydrant Issues
FDNY Fire Marshals continue investigating the fire’s origin. Mayor Zohran Mamdani mentioned that double-parked cars blocking hydrants delayed Monday’s Bronx five-alarm fire response, but praised crews for preventing fatalities in both incidents.
Key Takeaways
- Second five-alarm fire in two days strains FDNY resources
- Quick action and large response kept injuries minor
- Red Cross assisting displaced families; investigation ongoing
With no deaths reported in either major blaze, officials credit the round-the-clock dedication of overlapping fire crews who worked consecutive days.
