5-Alarm Inferno Ravages Astoria House-Church in Queens

ASTORIA, Queens -- A massive 5-alarm fire erupted at 6:46 p.m. on April 23 in a residential property featuring a church extension between 27th Avenue and Main Avenue in Astoria, drawing hundreds of FDNY responders to the scene.[1][2][3] Operations continued into Friday as crews fought the stubborn flames that engulfed the interconnected buildings.[1] The blaze highlighted the challenges of fighting fires in densely packed Queens neighborhoods, where older structures often exacerbate rapid spread.[4] At least six firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including one struck in the head by falling debris during a partial collapse, though he remained conscious and alert with expectations of recovery.[4] FDNY deployed 84 units and 270 fire and EMS personnel to contain the fire, which initially prompted a third-alarm response before escalating.[2][4] No injuries to residents or civilians were immediately reported, as the property appeared connected to vacant religious structures over 100 years old.[1][4] The fire originated in a two-story rectory before spreading to the adjacent church extension, both historic buildings vulnerable to such disasters in Astoria's tight-knit community.[4] FDNY officials have launched an investigation into the cause, with ongoing efforts to fully extinguish hotspots as of Friday morning.[1][4] Local residents in the 27th Avenue corridor were urged to avoid the area amid heavy smoke and emergency activity.