By Karen Frantz
Firefighters were searching houses for people in Breezy Point Wednesday after a six-alarm fire leveled more than 100 homes and severe flooding destroyed many more during the superstorm Sandy two days ago.
The ravaged western end of the Rockaway Peninsula, where the beachfront community is located, reminded some of the stark images of bombed-out Europe during World War II.
FDNY Assistant Chief Joseph Pfeifer said the agency’s first priority was working with the community to determine if there were missing people and restoring a water supply to the area.
“This is a devastated community,” he said.
He said the Department was working hard so people would be able to return to their homes. City agencies are committed to helping thecommunity rebuild, he said.
Many people returned to the area for the first time since the storm hit, braving long lines of traffic and parking far away to hike in through roads that were still flooded.
Some residents walked stunned through the still-smoldering rubble where houses stood before the fire.
“I don’t know where we’re going to live, where we’re going to stay,” said Christina Kirk, whose house was on the edge of the blaze and badly damaged by the fire and floods. “I don’t know where to go.”
Reach reporter Karen Frantz by e-mail at kfrantz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
