What to Know
- An 84-year-old woman is dead and an 85-year-old man is hurt after a fire ripped through a home in Queens late Wednesday, officials say
- Ruth Andrade was found inside on the first floor unconscious; she was rushed to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead
- It's not yet clear what may have sparked the blaze on 91st Avenue in Jamaica
A woman is dead and an 85-year-old man was hurt after a fire tore through a home in Queens late Wednesday.
Fire officials say the blaze broke at around 11:30 p.m. on 91st Avenue, near Merrick Boulevard, in Jamaica. Once the flames were put out, firefighters found 84-year-old Ruth Andrade of Queens, inside and unconscious on the first floor. Andrade was rushed to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The 85-year-old man was also transported to the hospital, where he is expected to survive, officials said. A third person, according to fire officials, also suffered injuries that are not considered life-threatening. The relationship between the victims, if any, wasn't immediately clear.
About 150 firefighters got the flames under control around 1 a.m. Thursday, about an hour and a half after the fire sparked inside the home. The homeowner has faced a number of violations over the years, including turning the house into smaller apartments.
The Department of Buildings and fire marshals remain on the scene. It's not yet clear what may have sparked the blaze.
