4 Killed, Including Child, in Queens Fire

Fierce winds fanned the fast-moving blaze that injured 12 others

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:36pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A four-alarm fire in a three-story building in Flushing, Queens killed four people, including a child, and injured 12 others on Monday afternoon. The fire, which was fanned by fierce winds, broke out around 12:30 p.m. and the building was heavily engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived just four minutes later.

Why it matters

Deadly fires in residential buildings are tragically common in New York City, with factors like aging infrastructure, overcrowding, and lack of fire safety measures often contributing to the loss of life. This incident highlights the need for continued fire prevention efforts and building code enforcement, especially in densely populated areas.

The details

Three people tried to escape the fire by jumping out of windows on the upper floors, though it's unclear if any of them were among the four killed. Two firefighters were injured when a staircase inside the building collapsed. More than 230 firefighters and paramedics responded to the blaze, which was centered in the five apartments above a commercial business on the ground floor.

  • The fire was called in around 12:30 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026.
  • Firefighters arrived on the scene just 4 minutes after the initial call.

The players

Lillian Bonsignore

Fire Commissioner who described the incident as a "difficult and tragic day."

Kevin Woods

The Fire Department's chief of fire operations who said emergency medical workers were performing CPR on victims in the street.

Lillian Luo

A marketing specialist for ABCPOS, a company that sells point-of-sale equipment and had an office on the ground floor of the building.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is a difficult and tragic day.”

— Lillian Bonsignore, Fire Commissioner

“It was very desperate. I have a kid too, but that moment, there's nothing we could have done.”

— Brian Zhang, Employee at nearby kitchen design store

“My kid is still in the apartment!”

— Unidentified woman

What’s next

Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fast-moving fire, which caused significant damage to the building. The names and ages of the victims have not yet been released, pending notification of their families.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of robust fire safety measures, especially in densely populated urban areas where fires can spread rapidly. It also highlights the need for continued community outreach and education to ensure residents know how to respond in the event of an emergency.