ASTORIA, Queens (PIX11) — Four firefighters were injured, including one seriously, battling a blaze at a warehouse in Queens Wednesday morning, officials said.
The three-alarm fire erupted at the one-story building at 34-40 31st St. near 34th Avenue in Astoria at around 10:15 a.m., according to the FDNY.
One firefighter was seriously hurt. Three other responders and a worker at the warehouse suffered minor injuries, the FDNY said. All four were taken to local hospitals. The seriously injured firefighter is expected to survive, officials said.
More than 100 firefighters responded to battle the fire. A packed warehouse with little to no space made it more difficult to get the fire under control, officials said. Black smoke could be seen shooting out of the roof.
“The warehouse is stacked from floor ceiling with portable air condition units,” said FDNY Chief Chuck Downey. “With a lot of stock comes narrow aisle space, so when the units encountered heavy fire on arrival, to put the fire out they had to start advancing, and it becomes difficult with commercial-type structures.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation.