A tragic house fire in Bayside, Queens, claimed the lives of three people during the early hours of Sunday morning, according to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).
More than 100 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the two-story home on 208th Street, where the fire quickly spread from the cellar to the upper floors. Despite efforts to contain the blaze, officials confirmed that three civilians lost their lives.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Details of the Fatal Fire
- Fire Location: 208th Street, Bayside, Queens
- Time: Overnight hours, early Sunday morning
- Casualties: Three civilians killed
FDNY’s Response and Fire Conditions
According to FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito, first responders arrived to find:
- Smoke coming from a cellar window
- Fire spreading from the basement to the first and second floors
- Heavy smoke throughout the entire building
Firefighters rescued three unconscious victims from the home. Unfortunately, all three later succumbed to their injuries.
Victims Identified by Neighbors
The FDNY confirmed the deaths of:
- A 56-year-old man, pronounced dead at the scene
- A 54-year-old woman, transported to the hospital before succumbing to injuries
- A 90-year-old woman, also taken to the hospital but did not survive
Neighbors revealed that the victims were all members of the same family.
Alice Brennan, a longtime resident of 208th Street, shared,
“The mother had Alzheimer’s, the daughter was handicapped, and the son was taking care of them. It’s heartbreaking that all three perished in the fire.”
Other neighbors expressed shock and sadness over the tragedy.
Maria Langrock, another area resident, said,
“It’s devastating. You don’t want this to happen in your neighborhood. I hope they find out what caused it so we can have closure.”
Maureen Hilsdorf, who knew the victims, added,
“I just can’t get them out of my mind. They were all good souls.”
