Fifteen Woodside households were displaced by a two-alarm fire that ripped through an apartment building on 63rd Street early Monday morning. Photo courtesy of DOB
Apr. 23, 2024 By Bill Parry
At least 15 Woodside families were displaced by a two-alarm fire that tore through their apartment building early Monday morning.
The FDNY received a report of a fire at a five-story building located at 39-06 63rd St. at 3:16 a.m. Firefighters arriving at the scene observed flames shooting from the roof of the apartment house. After the fire spread into a cockloft, the FDNY transmitted a second alarm, bringing a total of 25 units and 106 firefighters and EMS personnel to the scene between 39th Avenue and Roosevelt Avenue.
Three residents were injured and transported by EMS to Elmhurst Hospital with minor injuries and the fire was brought under control just before 4:30 a.m.
Fire marshals are investigating the cause of the blaze.
DOB inspectors found gaping holes in multiple areas of the roof and issued a Full Vacate Order for the property. Photo courtesy of DOB
“Yesterday, my team and I were at the site of the fire on 63rd Street in Woodside, ensuring that all our neighbors got registered with the Red Cross and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development for emergency housing services,” Council Member Julie Won said on Tuesday. “We also connected business owners with the Department of Small Business Services. Thank you to the brave FDNY firefighters, first responders and the Red Cross for your partnership to put out the fire and ensure our residents are safe.”
Council Member Julie Won and her team were at the scene checking on residents and small business owners who had ground-floor space in the damaged apartment building. Photo courtesy of Council Member Won’s office
As of Tuesday morning, the American Red Cross registered 15 households, which included 40 adults, eight children and two dogs, for emergency assistance, including temporary lodging and financial assistance.
Its Greater New York Disaster Action Team also provided care items to affected residents on the scene, including blankets, clothes, comfort kits, snacks, water, toys and diapers. Red Cross caseworkers are following up with affected residents to help connect them with nonprofit and/or government resources to support longer-term recovery needs. Any residents affected by the fire who need help with their recovery and who have not yet connected with the Red Cross should call 877-RED CROSS (877-733-2767).
Inspectors from the city’s Department of Buildings returned to the scene on Tuesday morning to ensure compliance with the Full Vacate Order that was issued to the building on Monday after they found that fire damage included an open roof in multiple areas. Con Edison and National Grid were also on the scene to cut-off utilities to the building, according to the DOB.
Won added that her district office at 37-04 Queens Blvd. in Long Island City is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for residents who need new jackets for men, women and children, backpacks, socks, toiletries and other essentials. Her office is in Suite 205 and her staff asks that impacted families call ahead at 718-383-9566.
“We also encourage renters to buy renter’s insurance to cover loss, injuries and damages at your residence in the event of an emergency,” Won said.
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