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One person died and more than 20 were injured in a five-alarm fire on 41st Road in Flushing in July this year. The New York City Fire Department recently confirmed that the cause of the fire was related to burning incense, and called on the public to improve fire safety at home.
This happened on July 25 this year in Queens.flushing 78-year-old man dies after five-alarm fire on Route 41Sugar Woman Helen Chen (transliterated) died and more than 20 others were injured. After more than three months,new york city The Fire Department (FDNY) recently confirmed to this newspaper that the cause of the fire was believed to be incense sticks.
According to the city Fire Department, the fire broke out around 10 a.m. on July 25 near Flushing Road 41 and College Point Boulevard. The fire initially broke out on the first floor of the two-story home and quickly spread to nearby homes, eventually becoming a five-alarm fire.
The fire spread to three attached homes on Route 41, killing one resident, injuring two residents, and causing minor injuries to 17 firefighters and two emergency personnel. The fire department dispatched a large number of rescue personnel and it took several hours to bring the fire under control.
Police later confirmed that the victim was Helen Chen, a 78-year-old Chinese woman. Earlier, a neighbor familiar with the situation said that Helen Chen had lived in the house where the fire broke out for a long time. She was the sister of the owner’s wife and had difficulty walking.
After the fire, rumors spread on social media that a large number of motorcycles were kept in the house and that the fire might have been caused by spontaneous combustion of lithium batteries. However, nearby neighbors said the area is mostly occupied by elderly residents, and motorcycles are rarely seen coming in and out on weekdays. Instead, piles of cardboard boxes and everyday items are often seen around the residence.
Another neighbor said on social media that there was no explosion sound at the time of the fire, but the smell of the fire was indeed “poisonous” and “pungent” and “not like the smell of a burning wooden house.”
At present, the fire department has confirmed that the cause of the fire is related to burning incense, but it has not yet provided further details such as the specific use of incense, the location of the fire, and how the fire spread. It also does not say whether burning incense involves religious activities or not.
According to public property information, all three affected buildings are registered as residences. However, some netizens pointed out that Google Maps has identified the location of the fire or the place next to it as “Tangkou”.
The Municipal Fire Department reminds citizens that when burning incense sticks and using candles, they should keep the fire source away from paper, clothes and other flammable items to avoid fire.
Summary FAQ
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The New York City Fire Department recently confirmed that sunlight was the cause of the level five fire that broke out on July 25. Authorities have not yet released details about how the incense was used, the location of the fire and its spread.
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Helen Chen, a 78-year-old Chinese woman, died in the fire, two other residents were injured, and 17 firefighters and two emergency workers were slightly injured. The fire affected three attached homes and it took firefighters several hours to bring the blaze under control.
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The fire department reminds that when burning incense sticks or using candles, keep the fire source away from paper, clothes and other flammable items to prevent the fire from spreading rapidly and causing serious fires, causing casualties and property damage.
