Fire marshals in Queens are investigating the cause and origin of a three-alarm fire on Sunday morning that left five residents and three firefighters injured.
Fire Department sources said the blaze ignited at 168-20 Liberty Ave. in Jamaica just before 3 a.m. on July 28 and spread to several adjoining buildings.
Battling heavy smoke and fire conditions, members of the 13th Division rescued most of the occupants with ground ladders from the rear of the three-story wood-frame private house, according to Deputy Chief Brian Whiston.
One resident, named Jehera, was forced to jump out of the second-floor window to escape the raging inferno. She had lived in the residence since April having relocated from Brownsville, Brooklyn.
“My neighbor was pounding on the door screaming fire,” Jehera said afterward. “I absolutely panicked and thought to myself I hope I make this.”
Another resident was seen carrying a pitbull puppy from the residence, as others carried their remaining possessions not covered in soot and ash.
The injured victims and firefighters were removed to local hospitals for treatment. Four other individuals refused medical attention at the scene.
More than 130 firefighters, in all, responded to the blaze. They used an aggressive interior attack and five hose lines on the interior and exterior to knock down the main body of fire, which was placed under control at about 4:40 a.m.
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