Four-alarm inferno rips through businesses in downtown Flushing

Firefighters labored for more than six hours to put out a stubborn, four-alarm fire that began late on Friday night and wound up several storefronts in Downtown Flushing, Queens.

The Fire Department said just one member of the department suffered minor injuries while battling the inferno that began at 11:01 p.m. on Nov. 13 inside 136-11 38th Ave., which houses a hair salon on the top of the two-story, attached building.

Heavy smoke was seen pouring out of the second-floor hair salon as firefighters worked around it to reach the fire and put it out.

Four-alarm inferno rips through businesses in downtown Flushing 2 — Firefighters from Ladder Company 138 wait for water as heavy smoke pushes from the Ishow hair salon during a four alarm fire at 111-36 38 Avenue in Flushing, Queens, early Saturday morning.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

Four-alarm inferno rips through businesses in downtown Flushing 3 — Firefighters operated at the scene of a four alarm fire at 136-11 38th Avenue in Flushing, Queens. (Photo by Lloyd Mitchell)

Four-alarm inferno rips through businesses in downtown Flushing 4 — Firefighters were confronted with heavy smoke and fire from the Zebra Lounge at 111-36 38 Avenue in Flushing, Queens.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

According to FDNY sources, the fire began in the basement and then quickly spread to the upper floors and an adjoining building. The four-alarm event brought out 39 FDNY units with 168 members on duty, along with the 109th precinct and EMS units.

The injured firefighter was brought to Elmhurst Hospital for treatment, FDNY sources said. No civilian injuries were reported.

Firefighters finally brought the inferno under control at about 5:11 a.m. Saturday morning. The cause was not immediately known, and the FDNY Marshals are now investigating.