Intense flames could be seen shooting out of the building. The FDNY was called to the scene around 7 p.m. and arrived in three minutes to heavy fire and parts of the interior collapsed. They moved to an exterior operation.
The acting chief of department said the main concern was containing the fire and preventing it from spreading to buildings and homes around it. CBS2's Jenna DeAngelis spoke to neighbors, including a man who lives in a home behind the building with his frightened family. "I put my clothes, I put my babies' clothes and I get the passport just in case I gotta run. My babies cried because they're scared," Jamaica resident Jose Rodriguez said.
FDNY members continue to operate at a 5-alarm fire at 138-18 101 Avenue in Queens. There are currently no civilian injuries reported.