A five-alarm inferno burned a Queens dollar store to a crisp on Sunday.
Three people, including two firefighters, were injured during the blaze that broke out at about 7:27 a.m. on Feb. 14 inside the Dollar Jackpot store, located within a one-story structure at 107-12 Jamaica Ave. in Richmond Hill.
The flames quickly spread throughout the structure and grew into a five-alarm fire within about an hour. Nearly 200 firefighters from 44 units were called to the scene.
“Our units responded in three minutes,” said FDNY Chief of Department John Sudnik. “There were heavy fire conditions, heavy fire blowing out the storefront windows. Our units made an aggressive push to put the fire out, but there was just too much fire for them to handle.”
Sudnik said the firefighters worked relentlessly to contain the blaze, fearing that combustible stock within the store might burst and cause the flames to spread to adjoining buildings. Luckily, they avoided major damage to the adjoining structures.
One civilian and two firefighters were hospitalized with injuries not considered life-threatening, Fire Department sources said.
“We’re here to support and take care of any patients that are generated. We’ll remain on scene and stand fast,” said FDNY Chief of EMS Lillian Bonsignore.
Using three hose lines from tower ladders, among other techniques, the blaze was brought under control at about 9:54 a.m. Sunday.
The cause of the fire, labeled suspicious due to its rapid spread, is now under investigation by FDNY marshals.
It was the second major fire along Jamaica Avenue in Richmond Hill since December, when dozens of people were displaced by a six-alarm inferno that broke out two blocks away, at 109-25 Jamaica Ave.
Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, who represents the community, called for assistance to help those impacted by the fire.
Right now, yet another fire is ripping through Richmond Hill at 107th & Jamaica Ave. @FDNY is on the scene. We will need an immediate investigation into the cause & all hands to help the victims.
@mwparrott @DavidFBrand @ela_dutt @CarlottaMohamed @c_sosin @queenspost @NY1 pic.twitter.com/B7uNHvb0GX— Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (@JeniferRajkumar) February 14, 2021
