Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Queens fire that injured 14 people caused by contractor’s illegal torch use: FDNY
By
Michelle Bocanegra
Published Dec 21, 2023
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 .
FDNY
By
Michelle Bocanegra
Published Dec 21, 2023
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
A massive inferno at an apartment building in Sunnyside, Queens, that injured 14 people and displaced more than 100 residents Wednesday was caused by a contractor who illegally torched a metal door frame in a vacant unit, fire officials said Thursday.
The intense blaze that erupted at 43-09 47th Ave. around noon Wednesday took more than four hours to contain, wrought extensive fire and water damage, and affected more than 400 people overall, according to the FDNY.
Fire marshals said the conflagration began after a contractor working in a vacant apartment on the building’s top floor used a torch to heat lead paint off the frame of a metal closet door.
They said the worker removed the plaster around the frame as soon as smoke emerged, but the flames had already begun to spread across the wood studs.
A captain who arrived on scene “realized the fire had extended further into the walls and ordered the worker to leave,” the fire department said in a post on X , formerly Twitter. “Shortly, the fire was reported to be in the cockloft, spreading across the roof.”
The biggest flames were concentrated in the middle of the building, officials said.
The owner of the contracting company, which was not identified by fire officials, was hit with multiple criminal summonses related to illegal torch use and lack of fireguards and a required certificate, fire officials said Thursday.
Deputy Assistant Fire Chief Tom Currao said Wednesday the fire was “well over a fifth-alarm” level. “Unfortunately we have very heavy fire damage throughout the building, either from the fire condition or the water that was applied,” he said.
Fourteen people, including a firefighter in serious but stable condition, were taken to local hospitals. None of their injuries were life threatening, according to the FDNY.
The American Red Cross said Wednesday it was providing emergency assistance, including temporary housing and food, to 160 people displaced by the fire.
A real estate company that shares an address with the building’s landlord, according to property records, did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the contractor or fire.
Tagged
fdny
new york city
public safety
sunnyside
queens
Michelle Bocanegra
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
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 .