72-year-old man dies, firefighter injured after basement fire in Queens: officials
RICHMOND HILL, Queens (WABC) -- One person has died and multiple people, including one firefighter, were injured in a basement fire in Queens on Thursday, officials said.
Firefighters responded to 94-14 132nd Street between 95 Avenue and Atlantic Avenue in Richmond Hill just after 5 p.m.
Twelve units and 60 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the scene of the fire that started in the basement.
Neighbors watched as medics carried a 72-year-old man from the burning building and frantically worked to save his life.
"The person was totally burned, head and all over the body, almost like 80% burned," one neighbor said.
The victim was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in critical condition and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Neighbors say the victim was quiet, but they saw him out on the street quite often.
Others live in the building, including a young woman in a wheelchair who made it out safely.
One firefighter was injured, and multiple civilians were injured in the fire as well.
Many are now wondering what happened inside that set such a voracious blaze.
An investigation is underway.
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