By Christina Santucci
Firefighters were still battling a four-alarm Jackson Heights blaze Monday night nearly three hours after the first 911 call reporting the fire came in, a spokesman for the Fire Department said at around 8:40 p.m.
The Bravest were called to 74-09 37th Ave. at 5:45 p.m., and the fire was listed as an all-hands blaze four minutes later, fire officials said.
At 5:53 p.m., the fire was upgraded to a second alarm, then at 6:11 p.m., a third alarm was declared, the spokesman said. An hour and a half later – at 7:55 p.m. – the fire was upgraded to a fourth alarm, and officials did not expect the blaze to be declared under control for a while.
The four-story building, which primarily is filled with offices, also houses Plaza College, a four-year specializing in medical and business careers, according to the school’s website.
Officials said the fire was concentrated in the third and fourth floors, and about 170 firefighters and 40 vehicles responded to the blaze.
No injuries had been reported, the spokesman said.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation. National Grid was called to the scene, but officials did not say fire was gas related.
“National Grid is asked to come to any one of these large scale events,” the spokesman said.
Black smoke from the fire could be seen as far as 77th Street and the Grand Central Parkway Monday evening.
Reach managing editor Christina Santucci by e-mail at timesledgerphotos@gmail.com by phone at 718-260-4589.
