A devastating fire early on Easter Sunday claimed the lives of three individuals and left another critically injured in a Queens residence that authorities described as overcrowded and lacking essential safety measures. According to fire officials, there was no evidence of a functioning smoke detector in the home, and several of its exits and staircases were obstructed.
During a press briefing, New York Fire Department Chief John Esposito highlighted that makeshift partitions had been installed throughout the Jamaica Estates property, including some that bisected the kitchen area. Investigators also discovered numerous extension cords snaking through the two-story structure, which, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, can pose a significant fire risk if improperly managed or overburdened. The precise cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Firefighters arrived within minutes, but the blaze had already spread to the upper reaches of the building by that time. Esposito noted that there were accounts of people escaping by leaping from the attic windows. The dwelling was occupied on multiple levels, including the upper floors, cellar, and attic.
New York City Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker pleaded with the public at a Sunday news conference, urging residents to maintain operational smoke alarms and, where possible, carbon monoxide detectors in their homes.
Adham Ammar, a tenant who resides on the second floor, recounted to ABC7 Eyewitness News that the house was home to approximately 10 to 15 individuals, including the property owner. Ammar stated he was not present when the fire broke out. He attributed part of the tragedy to the property owner’s negligence, although attempts to contact the landlord were unsuccessful.
The fire also resulted in minor injuries to three firefighters who managed to contain the situation.