By Amanda Woods
The Fire Department reported Thursday that a contractor who used a blowtorch illegally to remove lead paint from a door caused a large fire at an apartment building in Queens. This led to the injury of 14 people, and forced 160 other residents out.
Officials said that the inferno, which drew five alarms in total, erupted at noon on Wednesday afternoon on the sixth floor of a building located on 47th Ave. near 43rd St. in Sunnyside.
According to the FDNY, eight civilians, two police officers, and four firefighters suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.
According to the department, the fire was caused by an illegal torch used by a contractor in order to remove lead paint from a metal door frame of a closet inside a vacant flat.
The worker then noticed that smoke was coming from the frame of the door.
A worker was removing the plaster around the frame when he noticed small flames. He tried to put them out with water.
The FDNY reported that it was already too late, as the blaze was spreading into the walls. A short while later, reports indicated the fire had spread to the attic and was threatening the roof.
The video showed smoke and flames shooting from the upper floor windows as more than 200 firefighters and EMS responded to the fire. It took nearly four hours to put out.
Tom Currao, FDNY Assistant chief Deputy and deputy chief, said: “Our major fire was located in the middle wings – the B & C wing.” The building has suffered heavy damage from fire, or water.
According to an American Red Cross representative, 160 people from 68 households received emergency assistance including meals and temporary housing in the wake of the fire.
A representative said that the humanitarian group was working with the Office of Emergency Management of the City to assist residents in a longer-term recovery process at Sunnyside Community Services, located on 39th Street and 43rd Ave.
Residents Eric Tabala and WABC reported Wednesday that Eric Tabala was waiting for his cat to be rescued from the charred apartment of his mother-in law’s second floor.
Tabala: “I have seen people come home because they don’t understand what’s going on, and all their things are gone.” You didn’t anticipate it. It was terrible. “It’s freezing, horrible and Christmas time. It’s not good.”
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