FDNY personnel said the massive, five-alarm fire on Main Street in Flushing was “placed under control” just before 11:30 a.m. Thursday, but disruptions persist in the commercial corridor.
The one-story building at the East Commercial Plaza on Main Street has significant structural damage due to a collapsed roof, and firefighters continue to extinguish fires in the debris.
The fire broke out in a market located at 50-10 Main St. just after 6 a.m. on March 17.
The fire required 44 units and 198 firefighters, according to the FDNY. There are no civilian injuries at this time, the FDNY said on Twitter.
FDNY members are operating at a 5-alarm fire at 40-10 Main Street in Queens. There are currently no civilian injuries. pic.twitter.com/0sDaYjjU3e
— FDNY (@FDNY) March 17, 2022
The 7 train to Flushing was suspended during the morning rush after smoke was detected inside the Main Street station, which forced an evacuation, according to the MTA, which announced the following updates Thursday morning:
- Northbound 7 trains are ending and turning around at Willets Point
- For service between Main Street and Mets-Willets Point, consider taking a Q48 Bus.
- For service between Queens and Manhattan, consider taking an E, F, M, N, R, or W train.
- Shuttle buses available for customers for transport between Main Street and Willets-Point express train service is running on a limited schedule
Notify NYC warned businesses and residents to keep windows closed due to the heavy smoke conditions.
FDNY Acting Chief of Operations Richard Blatus provided an update at midday saying there was a partial collapse of the ceiling and roof.
“We will be here for most of the day, if not into the night. Once the fire is completely extinguished, we will have Department of Buildings evaluate the structure and see what kind of searches we can undertake,” Blatus said. “This is a very stubborn fire. There are approximately 30 kiosks inside. There are currently no civilian injuries at this time.”
He said the cause of the fire is under investigation by FDNY fire marshals.
FDNY Acting Chief of Operations Richard Blatus provides an update on this morning’s 5 -alarm fire at 40-10 Main Street in Queens. Read more: https://t.co/ddMUGvQpMI pic.twitter.com/7QWNld3FGg
— FDNY (@FDNY) March 17, 2022
Councilwoman Sandra Ung was at the scene of the inferno and received a briefing from FDNY officials.
“As of right now, we have heard there are five minor injuries, which are being treated at the scene,” Ung said. “As we prepare to help the small businesses impacted by the fire, I am already in direct contact with the small business services commissioner and will continue to monitor developments and changes in the situation.”
She added that Main Street between 39th Avenue and Kissena Boulevard and Roosevelt Avenue between Prince Street and Union Street are currently closed to traffic.
Shuttle buses for the 7 train are at Main Street and Northern Boulevard, according to the 109th Precinct in Flushing.
While firefighters continued to knock down hotspots throughout the afternoon, inspectors for the city’s Department of Buildings inspectors conducted a preliminary structural stability inspection and found that the entire roof structure had collapsed due to fire-related damages. The neighboring properties at 40-06 Main St. and 40-02 Main St. have also suffered “severe damage,” including sections of collapsed roofing at 40-2. The DOB’s investigation is ongoing.
