8 injured in 3-alarm fire that ravaged Queens building

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Eight people were injured when flames engulfed a building in Queens early Sunday morning, and even more were displaced, fire officials said.

The three-alarm fire broke out just before 3 a.m. at 168-20 Liberty Ave. in Jamaica.

According to fire officials, there were flames on both the first and second floors of the two-story building. The fire spread between the building's four connected homes, and it appears the blaze began in the rear and moved up the cockloft.

Leo was sleeping when the fire broke out and woke up to neighbors banging on his door, telling him to get up and out.

“It wasn't like pandemonium,” Leo told 1010 WINS/WCBS 880. “It wasn't like an out of control situation. Everyone seemed calm but in disbelief that it was happening.”

Eight people were injured in the fire, including two firefighters who sustained minor injuries. The FDNY members were transported to NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens for treatment, authorities said.

Two of the injured suffered serious burns and were transported to different area hospitals for treatment. The injuries were not considered life-threatening, officials said.

The other four people who sustained injuries refused medical attention at the scene.

Nearly 140 fire and EMS personnel responded, and the fire was brought under control at around 4:40 a.m., according to the FDNY.

“A lot of smoke damage, so I probably lost the majority of everything,” Leo said. “So that saddens me, but I'm alive.”

The American Red Cross was on scene Sunday morning assisting displaced people.

The fire marshal will investigate the cause of the fire.