A firefighter was injured battling a three-alarm fire in Ridgewood on Wednesday morning that gutted a home at 60-20 68th Rd.
The FDNY received multiple 911 calls at around 7:35 a.m., and Engine Company 291 and Ladder Company 140 arrived on the scene within four minutes, where they found heavy fire and smoke conditions from the basement that rapidly extended to the first and second floors.
“They were confronted with an extremely heavy fire condition,” Queens Borough Commander Assistant Chief Joseph Ferrante said. “We immediately started a very aggressive fire attack, stretching multiple hand lines to cut this fire off and prevent it from going to the exposures.”
Heavy fire moved into the cockloft between the ceiling and roof, threatening the adjoining homes.
“There was smoke pouring out of the building,” a neighbor said.
The FDNY signaled a third alarm, bringing 33 units to the block between 60th Street and 60th Lane, 137 firefighters and EMS personnel to the scene. The fire was brought under control at 9:15 a.m. One firefighter suffered a minor injury, but no civilians were hurt.
FDNY fire marshals will determine the cause of the blaze.
Inspectors from the city’s Department of Buildings were called to the scene for a structural stability inspection. They found extensive fire damage to the structure, including charring to wood joists, and all windows were removed.
Inspectors also observed that the adjacent property, 60-22 68th Road, had sustained some fire damage. As a result, inspectors issued a full vacate order for 60-20 68th Rd. and a partial vacate order for the 2nd-floor apartment of 60-22 68th Rd.
The American Red Cross registered 8 households, including 16 adults and five children, who were displaced by the fire, for emergency assistance, including financial assistance and temporary lodging.
Additional reporting by Lloyd Mitchell.
