Firefighter, resident injured in Queens housing complex fire
NEW YORK -- The FDNY says a firefighter and a civilian were injured in a fire in Queens on Saturday.
The flames broke out at a housing complex at 76th and Hazen streets in Astoria just after 3 p.m.
Thick black smoke poured out of the three-story building as some families were still inside.
Over 100 firefighters battled the blaze.
Officials say one resident and a firefighter were taken to a local hospital, but both are expected to survive. Everyone else was able to get out unharmed.
While the families are lucky to be alive, many now have no place to call home.
Terry Horos says her brother lived in the complex and lost everything.
"I feel hopeless because I don't know how to help," she said. "I feel very devastated for my brother. He's a single dad. He lost his wife two years ago. He has two small children."
Her brother and five other families spent the evening putting whatever was salvaged in garbage bags and storing them in their cars.
"He's a hard worker, and he's a good, good father. He takes care of his kids really well, and now they lost everything," Horos said.
Officials are still investigating, but residents say someone was barbecuing on their balcony and they believe that's what caused the fire.
The Red Cross says they provided housing assistance for one family and financial assistance for four families.
