05.02.11 - Fifth Alarm - Queens, NY.
QUEENS FIFTH ALARM CLAIMS WELL KNOWN RESTAURANT
By Bill Tompkins – http://www.BTFirephotos.com
A spectacular five alarm fire tore through O’Neill’s Restaurant and Bar in the Maspeth section of Queens, destroying the local favorite, and threatening several nearby structures.
Just before midnight on May 1st, FDNY Queens dispatch sent units to 64-21 53 rd Drive for a report of a fire. On arrival several minutes later, units found heavy smoke pushing from the basement of the 100 X 200 one story brick restaurant. A second alarm was transmitted at 00:02. The flames quickly extended up to the first floor and into the cockloft. Members were withdrawn and a third alarm sounded at 00:37. Three tower ladders were put into operation as fire broke through the roof. An attached large five story “H” type OMD was an immediate exposure problem. The building was evacuated of all residents and several hand lines were operated from the fire escape and roof to hold the flames back. Slight extension to a store on the “D” side was dealt with quickly.
A fourth alarm was transmitted at 01:05 bringing additional manpower and an additional tower ladder to work. Numerous boxes were transmitted for “Smoke in the area” calls. The flames were able to be held to the original fire building and the job was placed under control at 03:23, although a fifth alarm for relief was sounded at about 4:00.
Read MoreBy Bill Tompkins – http://www.BTFirephotos.com
A spectacular five alarm fire tore through O’Neill’s Restaurant and Bar in the Maspeth section of Queens, destroying the local favorite, and threatening several nearby structures.
Just before midnight on May 1st, FDNY Queens dispatch sent units to 64-21 53 rd Drive for a report of a fire. On arrival several minutes later, units found heavy smoke pushing from the basement of the 100 X 200 one story brick restaurant. A second alarm was transmitted at 00:02. The flames quickly extended up to the first floor and into the cockloft. Members were withdrawn and a third alarm sounded at 00:37. Three tower ladders were put into operation as fire broke through the roof. An attached large five story “H” type OMD was an immediate exposure problem. The building was evacuated of all residents and several hand lines were operated from the fire escape and roof to hold the flames back. Slight extension to a store on the “D” side was dealt with quickly.
A fourth alarm was transmitted at 01:05 bringing additional manpower and an additional tower ladder to work. Numerous boxes were transmitted for “Smoke in the area” calls. The flames were able to be held to the original fire building and the job was placed under control at 03:23, although a fifth alarm for relief was sounded at about 4:00.
