FDNY dealt with water pressure issues during massive Queens fire, 2 firefighters injured
NEW YORK -- Two firefighters were hurt battling a raging fire that started Wednesday night in Queens and took hours to get under control.
It started around 7 p.m. at a plumbing and electrical supply store on 101st Avenue near the Van Wyck Expressway in Jamaica. Intense flames were shooting out of the building.
The FDNY arrived about three minutes after getting the call. Parts of the interior collapsed due to the intense flames.
UPDATE: FDNY tells us 2 firefighters had to be taken to the hospital for minor injuries. The fire is now out, but the scene still remains active and under investigation. @CBSNewYork
— Elijah Westbrook (@elijahwestbrook) March 31, 2022
Crews were forced to undertake a "defensive attack," which meant they had to handle the flames from the outside of the building due to the threat of it collapsing entirely, CBS2's Elijah Westbrook reported.
FDNY Acting Chief of Department John Hodgens said preventing the fire from spreading to other buildings and homes was a main concern, and they faced obstacles like not having enough water pressure to douse the flames.
One of the big challenges was the water pressure problem. We didn't have enough water coming out of the hydrant main system. We needed DEP to step in and help us isolate and create better water pressure," Hodgens said.
Watch Jenna DeAngelis' report:
"I put my clothes, I put my babies' clothes and I get the passport just in case I gotta run. My babies cried because they're scared," Jose Rodriguez, who lives in a home behind the building, told CBS2's Jenna DeAngelis.
"I saw when the flames were shooting out. Lots of smoke and a lot of firefighters coming to the scene," said Darren Rowe, another neighbor.
The two injured firefighters suffered minor injuries.