Three people — including one child — were killed when a “tragic” four-alarm inferno ripped through a Queens building Monday, officials said.
The blaze erupted around 12:30 p.m. inside the building on College Point Boulevard near Avery Avenue in Flushing, with a business on the first floor and apartments on the two floors above, the FDNY said.
Two adults and one “pediatric” victim succumbed to their injuries, according to FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore.
“This is a difficult and tragic day,” Bonsignore said.
Two civilians were hospitalized in critical condition, and four others in stable, according to EMS Chief Cesar A. Escobar.
Five firefighters were also hospitalized in stable condition, including two hurt when the stairs collapsed, according to FDNY Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods.
“As our engine companies were moving in from the first floor and up the stairs to the second floor, the stairs collapsed, and those two members were trapped in the stairs,” the chief said.
The fire is under control and its cause remains under investigation.
