Updated 3:11 p.m.
BY SALVATORE LICATA AND CRISTABELLE TUMOLA
A four-alarm fire broke out in a Woodhaven home Wednesday night, tearing through several neighboring houses and injuring eight people, the FDNY said.
The smell of ash filled the air as firefighters and first responders started to clean up some debris on Thursday morning from the fire-stricken houses that were ripped through by flames the night before.
The blaze started at about 8:15 p.m. Wednesday on the first floor of a two-story private home at 91-21 90th St., near 91st Avenue, according to fire officials. It was raised to four alarms by about 8:45 p.m and spread to the second floor and attic area.
As about 168 firefighters tried to control the flames, the fire spread from the house to seven other homes that all share a common attic area, according to published reports.
Walls of many of the houses were still intact but the attics were ripped through and daylight could be seen coming through the roof from the torn out windows of many houses.
Eight people, including two firefighters, were hurt in the blaze, the FDNY said. All the injuries were minor.
The Red Cross was at the scene of the fire, where it assisted 20 adults and eight children with temporary lodging and emergency funds for food and clothing.
“Our teams will ensure that the emergency needs of those impacted are met — temporary lodging, food, clothing, emergency financial assistance and emotional support,” said the Red Cross in a statement.
State Senator Joseph Addabbo, who urged the passing of state legislation calling for an end to cocklofts in aging row houses in a statement following Wednesday night’s fire, will be providing drop-off sites for those affected by the blaze. He previously trumpeted the legislation following a September 2013 fire in Middle Village that severely damaged six attached homes.
Donations of clothing and other essential items can be dropped off at the senator’s Middle Village office at 66-85 73rd Pl., and Howard Beach office at 159-53 102nd St.
The cause is still under investigation.
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