Fire Destroys Historic Church in Astoria, Queens
A significant fire erupted at the First Reformed Church of Astoria in Queens, New York, on Thursday evening, around 6:45 p.m. Witnesses reported seeing fierce orange flames engulfing the building while firefighters worked diligently to bring it under control.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) indicated that the blaze was first detected in an abandoned two-story parsonage before it quickly spread to the church itself.
“During operations outside, part of the roof collapsed, and a wall fell down, leading to a firefighter being injured when bricks hit his helmet. He was cared for by FDNY paramedics and taken to a hospital,” explained Fire Operations Director Kevin Woods.
As of 10:30 p.m., the fire was finally under control, but not before over 270 fire and emergency personnel responded to the scene. Six firefighters sustained injuries during the efforts to combat the flames. Photos captured the intensity of the fire as it ravaged the building from various angles.
Kevin Harris, reportedly the last deacon of the church, expressed the deep pain felt by the community due to the destruction of their cherished place of worship. “It hurts. It hurts my whole family. My sister and niece were involved there, as well as my mom. This was our life, where significant milestones were celebrated,” he shared, reflecting on the long history his family has with the church since moving to the area in 1967.
A local resident named Jack mentioned arriving just as firefighters were beginning their efforts. “It seemed they were trying to contain the fire at first, but then it just rapidly spread,” he recounted, noting the struggle to bring it under control.
The church, established in the 1830s, was not new to fire incidents. It previously experienced damage from a different fire back in 1888, impacting the interior, including the floor and pews.
On Friday, local state representative Diana Moreno, whose district includes Astoria, commended the firefighters for their hard work. She expressed hope for the recovering firefighters and gratitude for their dedication in protecting the community.
