What to Know
- A fire broke out at a commercial building in College Point, Queens, Monday morning, according to FDNY
- Firefighters received the call of a fire around 7:40 a.m. and found fire in the basement of a one-story commercial building
- Firefighters say one person was injured; Their condition was not immediately known
More than 100 firefighters and emergency personnel responded to a three-alarm fire that broke out at a commercial building in College Point, Queens, Monday morning, the FDNY says.
The fire on 14th Avenue and 128th Street broke out around 7:40 a.m. FDNY says, adding that when they reached the scene they found a fire in the basement of the business, which is a warehouse that has wholseasale toys, vitamins and medical equipment.
The FDNY said there were oxygen tanks inside the building that exploded and a portion of the building has collapsed.
Images from the scene show thick, black smoke billowing from the building. The smoke could be seen at a distance.
One man was found unconcious on first floor transported to Jacobi Medical Center in critical but stable condition.
Additionally, three firefighters sustained non life-threatening injuries, the FDNY said.
People on scene said they heard the oxygen tanks explode.
Local
"I just came in to work, looked outside the glass, saw white smoke, which eventually turned to black smoke. Flames shut out. There were at least four explosions," Joseph Vitale, who works near the scene of the fire, said.
Another man who works nearby said the smoke was so dense, it was difficult to see.
"Smoke was pretty bad, it's crazy. You weren't really able to see much driving here and everything," Angelo Barreta, who also works near by, said. "The whole area looked like the world was coming to an end for a couple of hours."
The massive fire prompted 33 units and more than 138 firefighters and EMS personnel are combat the blaze, according to the FDNY.
Firefighters were able to covercome issues related to the frigid temperatures, including slipping and freezing water.
NYC Emergency Management is asking people near the scene of the fire to avoid smoke and close windows, as well as expect traffic delays.
