Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
3 dead after fire breaks out in Queens home riddled with safety hazards, FDNY says
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Apr 20, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Apr 20, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Three people died early Easter Sunday in a fire inside a Queens building riddled with fire hazards, according to the FDNY.
FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said firefighters responded to the blaze on Chevy Chase Street in Jamaica Estates at 1:38 a.m. Sunday morning. Tucker said the house was filled with makeshift walls, extension cords and “other carelessness” that allowed for the fire to spread quickly.
The NYPD said eight other people were injured from the blaze, including one person who was still fighting for their life on Sunday afternoon..
“When you have a tragedy of this magnitude on Easter, it’s difficult for the fire department,” Tucker said at a news conference Sunday morning. The FDNY said three firefighters who responded to the scene suffered minor injuries..
The cause of the fire was still under investigation on Sunday, but fire officials said there was no evidence that the house had any working smoke detectors.
“Smoke detectors save lives, you must have a working smoke detector in your house,” Tucker pleaded.
When firefighters arrived at the scene, officials said the fire was bursting out the first floor windows, and quickly spread to the second floor and attic. Some residents jumped out of the windows to escape to safety.
Department of Building records show an anonymous person reported the single-family home was illegally converted into apartments in 2023. The complaint alleged the owner of the home had a mentally disabled person “living in the basement” and “built a half wall in the kitchen so someone can live there.”
The complaint also said there were approximately 12 to 14 people living in the house. FDNY officials said the house was “very crowded.”
FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito said the house’s layout made the fire more difficult to put out.
“The means of egress were substandard,” said Esposito. “Exits blocked, stairways blocked, the fire did communicate and spread very quickly to the upper floors.”
Tagged
new york city
queens
public safety
Ramsey Khalifeh
Ramsey Khalifeh is a transportation reporter on the NYC Accountability desk covering the largest transit system in the country. He was previously a general assignment reporter at Gothamist and worked on the Boston Globe's metro and copy desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .