You are reading

Community Chips in to Help Victims of Woodside Fire

Dec. 30, 2011 Staff Report

Twenty-five victims of a fatal fire that occurred in Woodside in November received about 3,000 donated items from the community.

The donations included diapers, food, cleaning products, clothing and toys. Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer organized the campaign drive.

A 2-alarm blaze destroyed a 2-story house at 45-38 61st Street on Nov. 18 and significantly damaged the adjacent homes. The fire claimed the life of one victim, injured four others and forced a total of 25 people from three homes.

At this point, it is unknown whether the houses contained illegal dwelling units, although the NYFD is reviewing the matter. Van Bramer said that with 25 people in 3 houses, it’s too early to come to a conclusion as to whether the home owners/landlords were violating any regulations.

However, he did note that the Building Dept was cracking down on illegal housing units, which was a good thing.  However, Van Bramer said his immediate focus has been on the humanitarian side of the tragedy.

“In the wake of this tragic event, it is heartwarming to see the community’s response to support their neighbors. During this holiday season, these donations will give a little hope back to the families who lost so much in the fire,” Van Bramer said.

email the author: news@queenspost.com

2 Comments

Click for Comments 

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Spring blooms bright in Queens: your guide to cherry blossom hotspots around the borough

Apr. 1, 2025 By Jessica Militello

Cherry blossoms are already blooming across Queens, marking the arrival of spring. The sight of the delicate pink flowers marks the start of the special season in Queens, letting admirers take photos or simply appreciate the cherry blossoms’ beauty. The season, while brief, offers a chance to slow down and enjoy nature’s beauty and appreciate its fleeting nature. The cherry blossom isn’t just pretty to look at; the flower has tons of symbolism and history to learn about to make you enjoy them even more this Spring.