Elderly Man Dies in Queens Apartment Fire After Blocked Hydrant Slows Firefighters

FDNY Deputy Chief says parked cars at hydrants "definitely impedes our operations, it slows everything down."

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A raging fire killed an 83-year-old man inside a Queens apartment building on Sunday evening, after firefighters' efforts to extinguish the flames were slowed down by a car blocking a fire hydrant, according to authorities. Nearly 90 EMS personnel and firefighters rushed to respond to the blaze, but encountered a frozen fire hydrant and another blocked by a vehicle in front of the building, delaying their ability to get water on the fire quickly.

Why it matters

This incident highlights an ongoing issue in New York City where residents parking in front of fire hydrants can seriously impede firefighters' ability to respond effectively to emergencies and save lives. Blocked hydrants are a persistent problem that can have tragic consequences.

The details

Firefighters discovered the elderly man unconscious and unresponsive with severe injuries in the rear bedroom of an apartment unit on the sixth floor, where there was heavy fire and smoke. FDNY Deputy Chief Jeff Meister said the blocked hydrants "definitely impedes our operations, it slows everything down" and that "getting water on the fire fast is a critical part of our jobs." The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

  • The fire broke out at the apartment complex on 78th Street between Broadway and Woodside Avenue in Elmhurst just before 7:20 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, 2026.

The players

FDNY Deputy Chief Jeff Meister

A senior fire department official who responded to the scene and commented on the impact of the blocked hydrants.

83-year-old man

The elderly victim who was found unconscious and unresponsive in the apartment and later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When vehicles are parked at a hydrant, it definitely impedes our operations, it slows everything down. Getting water on the fire fast is a critical part of our jobs.”

— FDNY Deputy Chief Jeff Meister (New York Post)

What’s next

The FDNY and local authorities will continue investigating the cause of the fire, while also working to address the persistent issue of blocked fire hydrants across the city to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The takeaway

This heartbreaking incident underscores the critical importance of keeping fire hydrants clear and accessible at all times so that firefighters can respond quickly and effectively to emergencies. Residents must be vigilant about not parking in front of hydrants, as it can mean the difference between life and death in a fire.