Massive Fire Scorches Six Row Houses in Staten Island

A fast-moving five-alarm fire severely damaged six row houses in Staten Island on Monday, displacing more than 30 people and causing minor injuries.

John Sudnik, chief of the Fire Department of New York, said wood construction in the attics of the connected houses allowed flames to spread quickly through the roofs. Firefighters found “heavy fire” coming from one of the three-story buildings when they arrived just before 3 p.m., Sudnik said. It had spread to the adjacent homes before being brought under control two hours later.

More than 200 firefighters and other emergency workers responded to the scene, where flames licked through holes in the roofs and heavy smoke rolled across multiple row houses in the residential neighborhood.

Ten firefighters suffered various minor injuries and one civilian suffered a minor smoke inhalation injury, according to the fire department.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.