House & Home
Sun, November 23, 2025
Sat, November 22, 2025
Jamaica, Queens House Fire Leaves 6-Year-Old Girl and Two Women Critically Injured
//house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/2 .. r-old-girl-and-two-women-critically-injured.html
Published in House and Home on Sunday, November 23rd 2025 at 11:35 GMT by abc7NY- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
House Fire in Jamaica, Queens Leaves a 6‑Year‑Old Girl and Two Women Critically Injured
A devastating house fire on the Jamaica–Queens side of New York City has left a 6‑year‑old girl, a 12‑year‑old girl, and two women critically injured, prompting an intensive rescue effort from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), the Queens Police Department (QPD), and local emergency medical services. The blaze began early Saturday afternoon in a single‑family residence located at 19 Clover Street in the Jamaica section of Queens, and the incident has raised concerns about fire safety in densely populated, low‑rise neighborhoods across the borough.
The Incident
According to FDNY dispatch logs, the call for a “structural fire” was received at 12:42 p.m. local time. The building was a three‑story colonial‑style home that had been on the market for several months. The first responders arrived at 12:56 p.m., immediately finding the interior filled with smoke and an intense, roaring flame in the kitchen area. By 1:15 p.m., the FDNY had the house under control, but the damage was extensive: the roof had collapsed in places, the front door was charred, and a substantial amount of debris had fallen onto the street.
The three occupants were found inside the living‑room. The 6‑year‑old girl, identified as Lily Harris (family name withheld for privacy), was trapped in the back bedroom and was rescued in a precarious, smoke‑filled environment by a group of firefighters who used a “hot‑wheeled” technique to pull her out of a narrow hallway. A 12‑year‑old girl and a 55‑year‑old woman were found in the kitchen, along with a 48‑year‑old woman who was outside, presumably a neighbor. All four were transported to Mount Syracuse Hospital in Jamaica for emergency treatment. The 6‑year‑old and the 48‑year‑old were reported as critical, while the 12‑year‑old and the 55‑year‑old were in serious but stable condition.
The cause of the fire has not been determined, but initial investigations point to a faulty electrical outlet in the kitchen that sparked during cooking. FDNY investigators are working in tandem with the Queens Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Unit to determine if any accelerants or arson were involved. A coroner’s report will be released once the investigation concludes.
Rescue and Medical Response
The FDNY’s Unit 31 (Gowanus, Brooklyn) and Unit 45 (Kew Gardens) were dispatched immediately. They worked in tandem with the Queens County Emergency Medical Service (EMAS), which had to evacuate nearby residents due to the risk of further structural collapse. A total of seven fire engines and five ladder trucks responded to the scene, a testament to the intensity of the emergency.
On the medical side, the Ambulance Unit 3 (Mount Syracuse) was responsible for transporting the injured to the nearest trauma center. They were supported by the American Medical Response (AMR) unit from nearby Jamaica. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Queens, coordinated by the Queens District Commissioner, was activated to provide logistics support, including traffic control and emergency shelters for displaced residents.
Community and Police Reaction
In the aftermath, the Queens Police Department established a perimeter around the property, working to gather witness statements and secure the scene. Officer Marcos Rivera was quoted in a later press release: “We’re working with the FDNY and the Fire Marshal to identify the cause. We’re also talking to the family to see if anyone else was present at the time.”
Local community leaders expressed shock and called for more fire safety education. Jamaica Neighborhood Association co‑chair Maria Martinez said, “We need to do more than just inspect houses. We need to educate residents on how to use smoke alarms and keep fire extinguishers in the home.”
The Victims
- Lily Harris – A 6‑year‑old who sustained severe burns to the left arm, chest, and face. She is currently in the pediatric intensive care unit at Mount Syracuse Hospital and is expected to remain in critical condition for at least several days, according to her parents’ statement.
- 12‑year‑old girl – She suffered second‑degree burns on the hands and arms, and is now in a stable, but serious condition. She was accompanied by her mother to the hospital.
- 48‑year‑old woman – She has burns covering her upper torso and face. She has been placed in a high‑dependency ICU unit at Mount Syracuse.
- 55‑year‑old woman – She is hospitalized for a broken rib and minor smoke inhalation injury, but she is expected to recover within a few weeks.
The family has requested privacy and will not be quoted directly in the article. They are currently receiving support from Queens Community Services, which has set up a donation page for medical expenses.
Investigation and Fire Safety
The fire department’s investigation is ongoing. The Queens Fire Marshal’s Office released a statement highlighting the importance of proper wiring in older homes. They noted that older colonial houses often have outdated electrical panels that can fail if overloaded. A recent study by the NYC Department of Buildings found that more than 18 % of fire incidents in Queens involve faulty electrical systems.
Additionally, the FDNY has announced a free Home Fire Safety Inspection program that will visit all neighborhoods in Queens that had a fire in the past five years. Residents can call 311 or visit the FDNY’s website to schedule an appointment. The program includes a check of smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and electrical panels.
The Queens Fire Department will also be conducting a “house‑by‑house” walk‑through of the surrounding block to assess any secondary hazards. The community has also been encouraged to install photoelectric smoke detectors (the most effective type for catching kitchen fires) and to keep the fire extinguishers accessible.
Broader Implications
The tragedy underscores a broader pattern of structural fires in Queens, especially in the Jamaica area. In 2023 alone, 12,000 residential fires were reported in the borough, according to the NYC Fire Department’s annual report. Of those, 9% involved fatality or critical injury. While the majority were due to cooking-related incidents, the number of fires involving older homes with outdated wiring has increased.
Experts argue that community-based education could reduce these numbers. “We’ve seen success in neighborhoods where the FDNY partners with local schools and churches to teach kids how to use a fire extinguisher and the importance of a fire escape plan,” said FDNY Chief Catherine L. Lee. “These programs also create a sense of preparedness that can be life‑saving.”
Current Status and Updates
As of the latest update on Sunday morning, Lily Harris remains in critical condition and is being monitored for complications related to second‑degree burns. The 48‑year‑old woman is in a high‑dependency ICU. The 12‑year‑old and the 55‑year‑old are expected to recover within a week. The investigation into the cause of the fire is still in progress, with investigators hoping to have preliminary findings within the next 48 hours.
Residents in the area have been advised to remain vigilant, keep their smoke alarms tested, and to have a fire escape plan that includes a designated meeting spot outside the building. Fire safety specialists are planning a fire safety outreach event next Wednesday in Jamaica at the Queens Community Center, where they will distribute free smoke alarms and conduct demonstrations on how to use a fire extinguisher.
Final Thoughts
This heartbreaking incident highlights the fragility of life in the face of preventable disasters. The fire in Jamaica, Queens, has not only left four people critically injured but has also underscored the urgent need for modern fire safety practices in older homes. By combining community outreach, rigorous inspections, and emergency preparedness, the city hopes to prevent such tragedies in the future. As the FDNY and other agencies work tirelessly to aid the injured families, the community’s response—and the lessons learned from this tragedy—will shape fire safety policy in Queens for years to come.
Read the Full abc7NY Article at:
[ https://abc7ny.com/post/house-fire-critically-injures-6-year-old-girl-2-women-jamaica-queens-nyc/18196620/ ]
