NY Daily News – August 10, 2015
by Ryan Sit
Three people were injured, including two firefighters, when a three-alarm fire gutted two homes in Queens early Sunday, Fire Department officials said.
The blaze tore through the basement, first floor and roof of a two-story brick home before spreading to an adjacent house on 52nd Ave. near 70th St. in Maspeth at 2:50 a.m., authorities said.
Flames could be seen leaping from the rooftop as firefighters climbed on to the building to battle it.
“I looked outside and there were flames going up, they were shooting up into the air about a good 10 feet,” said neighbor Rich Dalessio, 59.
“Look at this thing just going up in flames,” he said as he watched the 138 responding firefighters knock the fire down.
All the residents from both homes were able to escape the inferno, but it didn’t soothe the immediate ache of watching their possessions burn, one neighbor said.
“When I came out the family was crying, they were sad, and screaming, “Call 911!” said Hernando Rizo, who lives one building away.
Two firefighters sustained minor injuries and one other person refused medical attention at the scene.
The fire was under control by 4:15 a.m., a Fire Department spokesman said.
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