By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• New York City officials are investigating whether an illegal basement apartment contributed to a deadly fire in a Queens home that killed a mother and her 17-day-old daughter.
• The fire broke out Monday evening at a multi-family building on Dongan Avenue in Elmhurst and spread quickly to neighboring structures, officials said.
• Firefighters initially withdrew from the building after a partial collapse before discovering the victims during later search efforts.
• Dozens of residents were displaced, and authorities continue investigating the fire’s cause and building conditions.
NEW YORK, NY — City officials are probing whether an unpermitted basement apartment in a Queens residence played a role in a fire that killed a 34-year-old woman and her newborn Monday night, fire and local authorities said.
The blaze broke out just before 7 p.m. at an Elmhurst address on 83-34 Dongan Avenue, and spread rapidly through the multi-family building and into adjacent homes, according to Fire Department of New York (FDNY) statements.
Firefighters were forced to momentarily pull crews from the structure after a partial floor collapse, FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito told reporters; once smoke conditions allowed re-entry, crews located the body of Miguelina Alcantara, 34, and later recovered her 17-day-old daughter.
Officials said a 22-year-old man was critically injured in the fire and other residents and firefighters sustained minor injuries. More than 200 fire and EMS personnel responded to the incident.
Building records show complaints dating back to 2009 and 2022 alleged a basement unit lacking proper egress, and authorities continue investigating the fire’s cause and the structure’s occupancy status as displaced residents wait for further updates.