Overview
- The First Reformed Church of Astoria, which caught fire Thursday around 6:45 p.m., saw flames race from a vacant rectory into the sanctuary and climb to five alarms.
- FDNY escalated the response to 84 units with about 270 firefighters and EMS personnel on 12th Street between Astoria Boulevard and 27th Avenue as investigators worked to determine the cause.
- Six firefighters were injured, including one hit on the helmet by debris, after collapsing roof and wall sections forced crews to switch from an interior attack to operations outside.
- Heavy smoke triggered alerts from NYC Emergency Management to avoid exposure, close windows, and steer clear of nearby streets as crews worked for hours to contain hot spots.
- The parish dates to the late 1830s and was rebuilt after an 1888 fire, heightening local concern as the extent of the new damage and the cause remain under review.