Flames were already punching through the roof when firefighters arrived on Madison Street before dawn. Ladders rose into drifting smoke as water arced across multiple buildings, ice forming instantly in the subfreezing air. Residents poured into the street in coats and slippers while debris fell from above.
By sunrise, four buildings were damaged, dozens were displaced, and five firefighters were hurt. What began as a quiet winter night had turned into a five-alarm emergency.
FDNY Mobilizes
At 3:24 a.m., FDNY units responded to reports of heavy fire on the first floor of a three-story, multi-family home in Ridgewood. Flames raced upward through interior shafts, reaching every floor and the roof, which soon collapsed into the top level.
As the fire spread to adjacent buildings, commanders ordered a second alarm. In a dense rowhouse block, speed mattered. The blaze was already outrunning initial containment efforts.
Winter Blaze History
Queens rowhouses are especially vulnerable in winter, when sealed windows trap heat and cold weather slows evacuation. This fire marked New York City’s second five-alarm blaze in just two days, following a major Bronx fire.
Officials and fire experts note that older, attached buildings allow flames to spread rapidly once structural voids ignite. In neighborhoods like Ridgewood, housing density and aging construction amplify the danger during extreme cold.
Frigid Conditions Worsen
Subfreezing temperatures made every step harder. Displaced residents stood in the cold with little time to retrieve belongings, while firefighters battled icy conditions underfoot.
A malfunctioning hydrant delayed water access, prompting a fifth alarm at 4:31 a.m. Flames burst through windows and roofs as collapse risks mounted. Crews rotated constantly to prevent frostbite and exhaustion. The weather turned an already dangerous fire into a prolonged fight.
Madison Street Catastrophe
The five-alarm fire centered on 18–24 Madison Street, between Seneca and Onderdonk Avenues, early January 6, 2026. What started in one first-floor apartment quickly spread to three neighboring buildings.
Firefighters attacked from the street and rooftops, navigating falling debris and unstable walls. After more than five hours of intense operations, FDNY brought the blaze under control at 8:53 a.m., averting further spread.
Neighborhood Devastated
Nearly 30 families were displaced as the Department of Buildings issued full vacate orders for all four affected structures. The primary building housed six apartments, all rendered uninhabitable.
Streets were shut down for hours, disrupting traffic and daily routines. The Red Cross assisted 15 households, directing them to emergency shelter at P.S. 239Q. For residents, the fire instantly erased a sense of stability and home.
Residents Traumatized
Witnesses described panic as flames erupted through rooftops. “I grew up here. My mom grew up here. It’s our family home. To see everything destroyed, it’s heartbreaking,” one resident said.
Longtime neighbors called it the worst fire they had ever seen on the block. The emotional toll lingered well after the flames were extinguished, leaving families uncertain about next steps.
Heroic FDNY Toll
Five firefighters were injured during the operation, including two with serious injuries. One firefighter was struck in the head by a flaming air conditioner dislodged during the blaze.
Another was hurt due to the impact of a roof collapse. FDNY Chief John Esposito said both were transported conscious and alert, though in significant pain. One civilian suffered minor injuries. The department praised firefighters’ courage under extreme conditions.
Community Rallies Aid
Local leaders and residents quickly mobilized support. Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar organized clothing and supply drives at a Ridgewood restaurant, urging donations for families who lost everything.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards pledged full borough support. The Red Cross distributed food, blankets, and emergency assistance while helping families plan next steps. In the aftermath of destruction, community response became a critical lifeline for displaced neighbors.
Fire Season Surge
Officials point to this fire as part of a troubling winter trend, with major blazes increasing during colder months. City agencies again urged residents to ensure working smoke detectors.
They noted that New York City offers free installations. FDNY coordinated with EMS, the Department of Buildings, and the MTA during the response. Despite two five-alarm fires in consecutive days, the absence of fatalities highlighted the importance of preparedness.
Hidden Structural Peril
Investigators noted that flames traveled rapidly through interior shafts and roof voids common in older rowhouses. Extensive damage affected neighboring addresses at 18-12, 18-20, and 18-26 Madison Street.
All of the buildings were boarded up for safety. Fire officials say this structural layout remains a recurring vulnerability in dense urban blocks. The Madison Street fire underscored how quickly one ignition point can threaten multiple buildings.
Property Impact
The Department of Buildings’ full vacate orders have left property owners facing difficult decisions about the future of their damaged buildings. Combined with the displacement of nearly 30 families, the fire’s economic and human toll continues to mount.
Investigators are still working to determine the cause, adding further uncertainty to an already complex recovery process.
Leadership Response
Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited the scene, praising firefighters and emergency crews. He noted that two five-alarm fires without loss of life demonstrated the effectiveness of first responders.
The mayor pledged a “whole of government” approach to recovery, coordinating city agencies to assist displaced residents. Officials acknowledged that the city’s ongoing housing shortage complicates recovery efforts, making long-term solutions as urgent as immediate relief.
Recovery Efforts Launch
The Red Cross registered 26 adults and six children for emergency assistance, providing shelter referrals, mental health services, and help replacing medications. Donations of clothing and essentials continued pouring in from the community.
The Department of Buildings began structural assessments to determine when, or if, residents could return. For now, the focus remains on temporary housing and stabilizing families displaced by the fire.
Skepticism Lingers
Fire marshals continue investigating the undetermined cause, examining possibilities such as winter heating hazards. Questions also surfaced about hydrant maintenance after the reported malfunction.
Residents expressed concern that aging buildings and slow repairs leave neighborhoods vulnerable to repeat disasters. With no clear timeline for rebuilding, uncertainty hangs over Madison Street.
Future Fireproofing?
As the investigation continues, calls grow louder for strengthening fire prevention in dense rowhouse neighborhoods. FDNY’s smoke detector installation program remains a key defense.
Advocates push for structural upgrades and safer designs. In a city strained by housing shortages, a single spark can displace dozens of families. The Madison Street fire raises a pressing question: how can Queens better protect its blocks before the next blaze strikes?
Sources:
QNS – “FDNY battles massive five-alarm multi-building fire in Ridgewood” – January 5, 2026
ABC7 New York – “Ridgewood, Queens fire injures 5 FDNY firefighters” – January 5, 2026
CBS News New York – “6 hurt, including 5 firefighters, in 5-alarm Ridgewood, Queens building fire” – January 5, 2026
People Magazine – “Firefighter Struck by Falling AC Unit, 5 Others Injured in Blaze” – January 6, 2026
CBS News New York – “5-alarm fire tears through Bronx building, leaving dozens displaced” – January 4, 2026
New York Post – “FDNY firefighter hit in head by falling air conditioner during raging inferno” – January 6, 2026