FDNY Battles Multiple Fires Amid Heat Wave

MYFOXNY.COM - Amid an intense heat wave, the FDNY experienced one of its busiest days of the year Wednesday by responding to two five-alarm fires in Queens, the department said. More than 200 firefighters and 44 units responded to each fire.

The first was a morning blaze at an apartment building on 60th Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard in Rego Park.

At least 21 firefighters and two residents were treated for mostly minor injuries. Most of the cases were heat exhaustion.

Then a few hours later, a fire broke out at 16-66 Bell Boulevard in Bayside. Flames shot through the roof and heavy, thick smoke could be seen for miles.

The FDNY got the fire under control within a few hours. Although no one was seriously hurt, EMTs treated at least 15 firefighters on the scene for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion.

The department also said that seven residents were injured.

Meantime, the American Red Cross said that volunteers and staff responded to both fires to help more than a hundreds displaced residents get food, water, shelter, and counseling.

On Wednesday, the Emergency Medical Service had one of its busiest days on record since 2001, exceeded only by two New Year's Eve celebrations and the blackout of 2003, the FDNY said.

Also Wednesday, firefighters battled a pair of two-alarm fires in the Bronx, a three-alarm in Queens, and several manhole and electrical pole fires around the city, as well. In that Queens fire, 13 firefighters suffered dehydration and exhaustion.