The fire broke out on the fourth floor of the Sanford Avenue apartment building near 158th Street in Flushing just before 4:45 a.m.
Dozens of residents rushed out to escape the burning building.
An eldery woman was taken in critical condition to Jacobi Medical Center. Three other residents had non-life threatening injuries and were taken to New York Hospital Queens.
Three firefighters also sustained minor injuries.
The FDNY issued a statement praising one of the firefighters who helped rescue the elderly woman when he went into her apartment. He found her unconscious and covered by debris, but firefighters were able to get her out.
He was honored Thursday night:
Firefighter praised for rescuing woman in Queens fire
The cause of the fire is under investigation.