Fire Forces 36 People From 3 Buildings
A blaze broke out steps away from a long closed firehouse in Long Island City last Wednesday afternoon and went to three alarms before being brought under control. Some 36 people were forced out of their apartments in the three buildings involved and were being resettled in temporary quarters by the Red Cross. The firehouse had been used as a location setting for the television series, "Rescue Me". The fire at 38-57 Ninth St. started at about 4:30 p.m. and spread to two adjoining three-story buildings, one on either side. It went to three alarms, bringing 138 firefighters and 33 units of equipment to the scene before being brought under control at about 6 p.m. The roof of one of the buildings collapsed during the fire. Seven firefighters sustained minor injuries; five were treated at the scene and two were taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Photo Vinny DuPre