NYC 5-alarm fire injures at least 17 firefighters, others as blaze damages multiple apartment buildings

Nearly two dozen people were injured, including several New York City firefighters (FDNY) Saturday, when a massive fire broke out at an apartment building in Queens.FDNY chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods said firefighters first got word of the fire just before 10 a.m. in a two-story wooden building in Queens and when they arrived, two buildings were fully involved, and it was spreading to a third building.Woods added that rescuers were able to get to the second floor above the fire "under high heat and zero visibility" where one resident was trapped.HISTORIC NYC CHURCH ENGULFED IN 5-ALARM BLAZE; 6 FIREFIGHTERS INJURED BATTLING STUBBORN FLAMESThey were taken to the hospital.In total, 17 firefighters were injured, two members of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and two civilians.None of the injuries are life-threatening, Woods said.PAROLED FELON CHARGED IN DEADLY FIRE AT NEW YORK HOMELESS HOTEL THAT KILLED 6"We want to thank the staff at all of these area hospitals for taking care of our personnel," Woods added.He said the fifth-alarm fire, which corresponds to using 250 firefighters, left "heavy damage" to the building and many of the families are displaced.Woods added that the historic residences were built in 1930 and completely made of wood.The fire is under control, he said, adding that the cause is under investigation.