FDNY battled eight-alarm blaze in Jamaica

Dozens of firefighters were still looking for dangerous hot spots on Tuesday morning, almost 17 hours after a fire destroyed a Jamaica warehouse, said FDNY officials. Approximately 500 firefighters responded to the eight-alarm inferno at 95-20 150th Street in Jamaica, leaving at least 12 with injuries. One firefighter – who has yet to be named – was treated for serious burns to his face and head at the Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Reportedly, the warehouse – which stores materials for an electrical wiring industrial company – was a perfect specimen for a spreading fire due to its proportions. According to a Google search of the location, the one-story JSJ Iron Works building stands at 6,600 square feet and was for sale for $1.3 million. FDNY officials say that a cause for the fire – which erupted around 6 p.m. Monday evening and was contained before 5 a.m. – may not be known for days.
According to FDNY Deputy Chief Vinny Mandala, the fire was difficult to battle because of a partial collapse to the building’s roof, which reportedly injured seven firefighters. Officials say that insulation, hazardous materials and melting tar may have intensified the flames causing the fire to spread to an adjacent building. After the collapse, the blaze became too dangerous to fight from inside the building and an exterior tactical plan was carried out.
Yvonne Reddick, district manager of Community Board 12, heard about the fire via text message on Monday night and said she would like to speak to FDNY officials regarding the extent of the damage. An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway.