Queens church fire injures 6 firefighters, forces exterior attack as roof collapses

QUEENS, NY — A massive five-alarm fire tore through a church complex in Astoria Thursday evening, injuring six firefighters and forcing crews to retreat as parts of the structure began collapsing, FDNY officials said.

Firefighters responded around 6:45 p.m. to the First Reformed Church of Astoria at 27-26 12th Street, where they encountered heavy fire inside a vacant two-story rectory that quickly spread to the adjacent church building.

Collapse forces shift in firefighting strategy