Five-alarm Flushing fire tears through mall

By Rachel Vick

A five-alarm fire ravaged a Downtown Flushing building early Thursday morning, bringing out nearly 200 firefighters from 44 different units and halting traffic in the area.

The FDNY first got the call to the interior mall at 40-10 Main St. around 6 a.m., according to Acting Chief of Operations Richard Blatus.

“This is a very stubborn fire, there are approximately 30 kiosks inside,” Blatus said from the scene. “This will be an extended operation.”

There were no reported casualties as of 1:45 p.m. on Thursday. The fire was placed “under control” around noon, according to fire officials.

Billowing smoke and the large number of fire personnel and vehicles in the area caused transit delays throughout the day.

Subway service between Main St. and Mets-Willets Point on the 7 train was temporarily suspended throughout the morning. Main Street between 39th Avenue and Kissena Boulevard and Roosevelt Avenue between Prince Street and Union Street were closed to traffic.

Long Island Rail Road service was uninterrupted.

Councilmember Sandra Ung said there were five minor injuries treated at the scene.

“As we prepare to help support the small businesses impacted by the fire, I am already in direct contact with the Small Business Services Commissioner and will continue to monitor developments and changes in the situation,” Ung said.

An investigation by FDNY Fire Marshals is ongoing.