83-Year-Old Man Dies in Queens Apartment Fire

Blaze erupted in Elmhurst home, victim rushed to hospital but could not be saved

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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An 83-year-old man was killed in a fire that broke out in his Queens apartment on Sunday evening. Firefighters pulled the unconscious victim from his home on 78th Street near Woodside Avenue in Elmhurst and rushed him to the hospital, but he could not be saved. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing fire safety challenges facing the elderly population in New York City, with a recent spike in fire-related deaths among senior residents. The investigation into the cause of this fire could uncover important safety lessons to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The details

The blaze erupted in the man's apartment around 7:15 pm on Sunday. Firefighters were able to pull the unconscious victim from the home, but he was pronounced dead after being rushed to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Queens. The victim's name has not yet been released by authorities.

  • The fire broke out around 7:15 pm on Sunday, February 16, 2026.

The players

FDNY

The New York City Fire Department, which responded to the fire and transported the victim to the hospital.

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What’s next

Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire, which could provide important insights to help prevent similar tragedies involving elderly residents in the future.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for enhanced fire safety measures and support systems to protect vulnerable elderly populations in New York City, where a recent spike in senior fire-related deaths has raised urgent concerns.