NEW YORK, NY January 6, 2026 — A intense five-alarm fire erupted early Tuesday morning in a residential building in Ridgewood, Queens, injuring six people—including five firefighters—and forcing multiple families from their homes.
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani addressed reporters at the scene, surrounded by FDNY leadership and first responders, praising the department’s swift and courageous actions that enabled residents to evacuate safely.
“Thanks to the incredible bravery of our FDNY who ran toward the flames, families were able to run to safety,” Mayor Mamdani said. “Six people were injured, including five firefighters.”
The mayor announced that the city is providing immediate medical care for those injured and will open an emergency response center today to support displaced residents who lost their homes in the blaze.
No fatalities were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation by the FDNY.
The press conference took place in front of the affected brick row houses, with fire trucks and emergency personnel visible in the background. Mayor Mamdani, flanked by high-ranking FDNY officials in full gear and other city representatives, spoke at a podium bearing the Fire Department of New York seal.
The incident marks a significant emergency response just days into the new mayoral administration, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by the city’s firefighters.
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