A large fire tore through a Flushing mall early Thursday that houses 30 kiosks (Photo: FDNY)
March 17, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
A large fire tore through a Flushing shopping mall early Thursday that houses around 30 kiosks, according to the FDNY.
Firefighters responded to a report of a fire taking place at the one-story mall, located at 40-10 Main St. at around 6 a.m. and quickly upgraded the blaze to a five-alarm fire which brought more than 200 firefighters to the scene, FDNY officials said.
The fire broke out before rush hour while it was still dark and plumes of heavy smoke could be seen billowing up into the air.
Firefighters initially struggled to get inside the building, as black smoke poured out from the entrance and then the roof of the building partially collapsed, FDNY Acting Chief Richard Blatus said.
The FDNY got the blaze under control at around 11:30 a.m., according to reports.
However, Blatus said that because of the ceiling collapse, the fire load underneath needs to burn through before firefighters can complete their operations.
“This is a very stubborn fire,” Blatus said. “We will be here for most of the day, if not through the night.”
“Once the fire is completely extinguished, we will have DOB evaluate the structure,” Blatus said.
He said there were no reported civilian injuries and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
FDNY Acting Chief of Operations Richard Blatus provides an update on this morning’s 5 -alarm fire at 40-10 Main Street in Queens. Read more: https://t.co/ddMUGvQpMI pic.twitter.com/7QWNld3FGg
— FDNY (@FDNY) March 17, 2022
Council Member Sandra Ung was at the scene of the blaze and said that buildings surrounding the mall suffered water damage.
Ung said she is working on ways to help all of the small businesses impacted by the fire.
“I am already in direct contact with the Small Business Services Commissioner and will continue to monitor developments and changes in the situation.”
Ung said the fire led to a number of traffic disruptions.
The 7 train and LIRR are temporarily not stopping at Main Street station while local buses in downtown Flushing have delays in both directions.
Main Street between 39th Avenue and Kissena Boulevard as well as Roosevelt Avenue between Prince Street and Union Street are currently closed to traffic.
FDNY members are currently a 4-alarm at 40-10 Main Street in Queens. pic.twitter.com/oUzquMcxWP
— FDNY (@FDNY) March 17, 2022
Council Member Sandra Ung speaking to the FDNY (Photo provided by Council Member Sandra Ung)
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