Dramatic Explosion on FDNY Firefighters / 5-Alarm Fire Sunnyside Queens 12.13.18

12.13.18 | By Adam | SUNNYSIDE, Queens - Around 200 firefighters responded to an explosive 5-alarm fire that started at 2 am, Thursday, December 13th, 2018 on 45-02 45th Street. 12 people were hurt including 7 firefighters, all treated for minor injuries with only one being serious. What appeared to be a building explosion was actually a roof collapse which caused a backdraft or smoke explosion, FDNY stated. 6 businesses were destroyed. Cause of the fire under investigation.
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[@LoudlabsNYC]

Watch Season 1 of Midnight Tour bit.ly/3sjGi4D

[@yaelrayden197]

dunno if you guys cares but if you're stoned like me during the covid times you can watch pretty much all of the latest movies on InstaFlixxer. I've been binge watching with my girlfriend for the last couple of weeks :)

[@raphaelbranson5832]

@Yael Rayden Yea, been watching on InstaFlixxer for since december myself =)

[@georgebrennan6043]

@@raphaelbranson5832 I

[@annetteku1]

12 people were injured, 7 of them firefighters, most of them minor injuries, one seriously injured. Cause of fire under investigation. Cause of explosion: a roof colapse resulting in backdraft or smoke/fume explosion. Brave people in FDNY 🙏👏❤️ God Bless them all and keep them alert and safe and effective.

[@retiredarthritic2083]

If you watch from 10:00 to the backdraft you can see the warning signs of the impending explosive force of the backdraft, This I recognize from training during my days as a volunteer firefighter in Beaverlodge Ab Ca. Great job catching that bit on video and Thank heaven no serious injuries resulted.

[@wilsjane]

What I find hard to understand, was how in a busy city, a fire could fully involve the basement and spread to the roof, before the fire department were called.

[@alllivesmatter627]

That was not a backdraft. That was from the roof collapsing and push the fire and smoke out. Like a backdraft but not an actually backdraft

[@robertscutt2904]

It was a pancake collapse, the roof had heavy air-conditioning units, plus the weight of the water being poured on the roof, by four 🚒 🚒 🚒 Tower🚒🇺🇸 Ladders, the fire 🔥was eating away at the walls and Joists for over an hour. Thank 🙏🏼God One Sixteen Truck's Crew Made Off The Roof, They Knew It Was Going To Go, 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@moniquecuierrier4752]

What a great job they do. My late dad was the fire chief for Lasalle, Montreal , QC, One day he came back from extinguishing a huge fire, caused by a gas explosion in low budget appartements complex in the years 1960. He was covered with icicles. It was in march. These men and women are extremely brave. I admire them so much. 👍 May God bless them forever😇

[@pamd.happykat8187]

You never know what the beast will do. Be careful out there, Adam and all firefighters.

[@Igloo3471]

With over 100,000 items, things certainly got hot in the Romantic Depot!

[@sleepyjay2664]

Excellent footage. I saw the original when you posted it, and the added footage just adds to the story. 👍 I like the quick phone call telling someone about the explosion.

[@RandyLong-m7r]

After watching all these fire vidios,, ive learned this much. Theres a ton of fire experts out there.

[@OnTheAir]

I can't stand the LLN logo in the middle of the video. Come on! WTF?!

[@HoxhaStudioNYC]

The men and women in FDNY are extremely Brave to do what they do. GOD BLESS THEM ALL!!!!!

[@alanimmel48]

yes they are very brave standing around on the street doing nothing

[@colthofer3752]

@@alanimmel48 there must be some blown brain cells coming up with that ne

[@jimbateman225]

When that brown smoke started rolling out under the edge of the roof. It was looking for an oxygen supply and found it. Thankfully everybody knew it was coming.

[@tinagrier6641]

Hope no firefighters were hurt during the explosion !! Hope everybody is OK

[@robertscutt2904]

I was there, it wasn't an explosion 💥 it was a roof collapse.

[@BaltoJoey]

The correct address ia 45-02 Queens Blve. Also, if you look carefully. You will see the fire personnel leave the building and walk away. Just a few seconds before the backdraft occurs. Doing this saved them from more serious injuries.

[@mikemcilheran7212]

You have 2 ladder companies (Ladder 115 & 118) leaning against a burning building on the Alpha side not pumping water for 20 minutes. Suddenly Ladder 118 is simply gone. Curious as to why. Also no hand lines putting water through windows.

[@imtheboss7422]

And then you had someone on the roof of the building with no SCBA at 12:14 😐😨😱

[@jharris5387]

It always amazes me how many firefighters there are just standing around doing nothing as the fire rages out of control

[@imtheboss7422]

@@jharris5387 Well in their defense sometimes they're waiting on orders from their commander or lieutenant. Or possibly waiting for more equipment to arrive from another station. Although I did comment on how at 12:14 there was someone on the roof of the building with no SCBA. 🙄

[@mgratk]

@@jharris5387 They rotate FFers in and stage them as they deem necessary. It's hot and hard work and the air bottles only last so long.

[@unodonut]

Why no handlines through windows? Because you fight a fire more effectively from inside the building. 9:47 you can clearly see a company with a line inside

[@amandahudson431]

About 24 minutes into video before i saw water

[@anniegreenwind971]

That fire kept getting worse and worse no matter how many hoses were on it!

[@fleabitis]

NYFD started as a collective of various volunteer fire companies. This was back in the dark ages. These companies, being independent, lacked common leadership. In many cases they arrived on scene with no group plan, no cohesive attack, no leadership. Bystanders often complained they spent more time gawking and visiting with each other than doing anything constructive that would lead to a fire being extinguished. This video demonstrates that this legacy is dying hard, if dying at all. 22:40 we’ll after the point where master streams should have at least been ready to deploy in the event that went totally defensive, all that was present was an unattended line at the end of a ladder shooting straight down onto an unaffected area of the roof. The complete “lack of hustle” would seem to suggest a totally unmotivated, unled and ineffective organization. Then again, at the heart of everything, is yet another Chinese restaurant, in all the NYFD videos we have reviewed, never saw the NYFD save one yet. Great firefighters, totally vacant leadership.

[@fleabitis]

One additional comment: though the dildo shop on the AD corner was clearly completely lost, NYPD’s Donut Shop on the far left A side apparently did indeed survive the night.

[@stevem3605]

I have no firefighting experience but watching a lot of videos I’ve noticed a few things. FDNY is always very long on getting water on a fire. Second an awful lot of people standing around not doing much of anything. Third is the constant chatter of command on the radio, who’s he talking too? In comparison I’ve watched LAFD work a fire, big or small and they seem to have water going before the pumper even stops. Always a lot of hustle. This is not that I’m bashing FDNY or glorify LAFD but to a layman it is two totally different approaches. I’m off my soap box now.

[@jack_TateRR]

FDNY*

[@gingerbread6614]

Hope everyone is ok. Great shots. Thank you

[@midwestproductreviews7360]

I am surprised some of those firefighters on that roof were not more seriously injured. That was scary as hell to watch. My dad retired from our local fd. with over 30 yrs. of service.

[@ManuelStoss]

So close to the "Boyd Street" Fire in Los Angeles. (May 16, 2020) I see many parallels.

[@simonfea2]

That one is hard to watch.

[@josephtravaldo1295]

Great video. Thanks. Stay safe and stay healthy.

[@assman1343]

Take your time boys. No need to hurry...

[@amandahudson431]

11 guys on the roof. 1 spraying water

[@johnkramchuck7653]

Holy crap!..Between the fire and the water, all is lost. And to what end?..Those shop owners have nothing to go back to..

[@johndavis6119]

That was one hell of a backdraft. I’m glad nobody was hurt. They just got knocked on their asses.

[@Highheels4ever]

Superb footage of this fire! I am impressed as to well and clearly I can see the fire burning. Congratulations on a job well done. Kudos to you! 👍🙌🙌🙌. Thank you 🙏

[@scottbaker1018]

The majesterium1. Has another excellent video on this

[@LoudlabsNYC]

scott Baker Whos that

[@scottbaker1018]

LOUDLABS NEWS NYC He has been covering FDNY calls for along time and is well known by them

[@tjlovesrachel]

@@LoudlabsNYC lmaoooo nobody got your sarcasm

[@mgratk]

John (Maj) is the best of the best. This is certainly a great video also, and earns a follow.

[@matthewpetersen4417]

Ya know what scares me, I've lived here through 9/11 I kind of fear big structures, for you guys to go in after that your brave souls. That day has still never left me.

[@stephengeraghty3368]

Cricki that was frightening, I hope every one gets better. Shame for all the shops /jobs hard work people had done.

[@orlyg1521]

08:15 creating an uncontrolled air flow, just before the explosion no hose ready with opening that door. Many factors contributing to this fire. Not an easy fire to fight.

[@tracyras4763]

Omg that looked scary hope those fire fighters are OK 😳😳😳😳

[@LoudlabsNYC]

No serious injuries

[@trimberfox9141]

I think unfortunately I have to agree with several comments. The amount of time that passed before FDNY crews were directed into action is atrocious. The management of this situation at the early stages is nothing short of pathetic. Whoever was in charge of this situation should have to undergo retraining and be reprimanded not to mention loose their position of authority. If you watch the video there is a positively huge amount of time where there was virtually no action to actually fight the fire. It's like the flash over occurred and then someone said "Oh wow! Hay folks I guess we've got a fire here! Let's do something about it!" I can definitely see why NY is coming down on their firefighters. Come on folks, you need to do much better than this in the early stages of a fire. All that being said, the efforts of FDNY after they began to take this fire seriously were very effective and professional. Rapid deployment of equipment and good coordination.

[@conniebendick9293]

I agree. You said it all.

[@juneannmoss5897]

How. Exhausting for these firefighters. What a loss!!!

[@brianingle1962]

80 firemen, 1 hose. Get some water flowing

[@assman1343]

100 fire fighters just standing around!!!

[@Freddie.Wiener]

They rotate personnel. They’re not just standing around. They’re awaiting deployment.

[@kcism3239]

Excellent video....

[@wrkhrse]

Only firefighters would consider that a “minor” injury. Well...may be Chuck Norris too.

[@jassack6333]

oh my god ! i hope no firefighters or any of us mere earthlings were killed by the explosion

[@ckpadf7723]

Lange her, aber denn noch sehr beeindruckende Aufnahme. 👍👍👍👍 Bin selber Feuerwehrmann gewesen in Deutschland und bin beim schauen des Videos sehr Sauer geworden. Welcher Idiot von Einsatzleiter hat über 10 Feuerwehrleute auf das dach geschickt mit nur 1 Strahlrohr ??? Der leiter des einsatzes sollte man ordentlich den Marsch Blasen und 1 jahr vom Dienstag befreien !!!! Ich weiss auch nicht, warum vom Boden so wenige Strahlrohre fur den Inneneinsatz, zu Beginn waren ? Ist das normal das man auf eine Durchzündung wartet oder was ???? Hier in Deutschland wäre sowas nicht vorgekommen ! Da hatte man von Anfang an von der Drehleiter Wasser aufs Feuer abgegeben und schnellst möglich zum Innenangriff nach 5 bis 10 Minuten übergegangen.

[@redfog2197]

Not sure what's more epic - the size of the guy's balls filming throughout the explosion, or the battery capacity of his cell phone!

[@Kaczorek2366]

With the smoke went "Romantic magazine". And what was the cause of the fire? In the video you can see that this is an advanced fire. The fire brigade extinguishes and extinguishes and the fire and so practically what was supposed to burn it burned. From the film you can see that the warehouse was rather dismantled after the fire. At the end, there was nothing but ruins.

[@richardmeo2503]

That little bit of horizontal venting changed the fire flow and chemistry. After the backdraft No More smoke pushed out of Sidetracks or the other stores.

[@Kamila_Alaiah]

I'm curious as to why there is so much standing around and no effort to even try putting it out after the roof collapse. I'm currently at 21:12 and for the last few minutes. It's been a crap ton of NYC $$$ going out the door and them not doing a damn thing to earn it besides stand around. Don't get me wrong. I support them fully no doubt. But this standing around is uncalled for. Especially if you got over 200 guys on scene and countless vehicles

[@unodonut]

Once the roof collapses structural integrity is severely compromised. At that point NO ONE goes inside the building. Best you can do at that point is dump as much water on it was you can until it goes out. You also have to remember that firefighters get tired and need a rest. Their equipment weighs a lot. You need to have crews ready to replace the ones that need to take a break. Plus there were several firefighters injured after the explosions and collapse. Lots of mitigating factors to consider

[@lillabethall3021]

This is a massive fire, I just hope that no one got hurt real bad. Best of luck to everybody and stay safe and GOD BE WITH YOU ALL.

[@mannyperez3981]

Wow all that water on afire and it don't seem to do nothing really shows the intensity of the flames

[@mikeggg1979]

I saw this from the 7 train that night insanely huge fire

[@phylisandrews9237]

I bet it was the warming oil at that Romantic Depot that started it! 😂

[@JosePerez-ds3oy]

I've been watching a lot of these fire videos on New York and all I see is most of these firefighters just stand around.

[@Tom-Lahaye]

The roof collapsed at the moment of the 'explosion', I wonder if the collapse was caused by the force of a back draft, as they were opening the front door at the same moment, or did the roof collapse and push smoke and flames out the front with force? Anyway a scary moment with so many personnel standing close, hope all FF were OK.

[@moniquecuierrier4752]

Hello, I heard from the background that it was propane.

[@guysweet3470]

I don't know but why the hell were they all just standing around? Where they waiting for it to get bad?

[@simonfea2]

The extra FF are relief. Also, if they can't go into a dangerous situation, where are they supposed to go? The fire isn't back at the house.

[@Utubin]

At 203:02 ole boy says, "Hey Chief, anybody want a donut? I'm gone grab a few.

[@pamd.happykat8187]

That was one whale of a fire! Great footage, Adam. Just curious, were you talking with JJ up there? If I remember right, he was also on this fire. Firefighters were lucky on this one, I think. It could have been so much worse.

[@tjlovesrachel]

Yes he was…. That’s who screamed

[@cherieschuh2498]

You never had a chance! That was one stubborn, hangry fire!!!

[@Andrew-gv2tx]

Great Content - 10:25 Explosion

[@jimstevenson9033]

thanks

[@slcncr]

Its not an Explosion, its called a Flashover.

[@Andrew-gv2tx]

Kitebuggy what a fucking idiot I must be!!! Damn how do I live my life without you!!! Thank you so much for the correction. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Your the best and the smartest!!! I wish I was you!!!

[@tommy1646]

Cool shots Adam 👌

[@QbutNotTheQ]

I’m not a firefighter, so I have a couple of questions. How many guys really need to be up on the roof of that building? Also, at what point do you decide to go ahead and start squirting some water on that thing?

[@ericweiler6571]

For a moment there I thought this was a collapse. Thank God it wasn't

[@binky8501]

Thry planning on actually fighting this fire or they just gonna mill around and watch

[@gglegreff1858]

Ou est l'eau ? Tous ces pompiers qui tournent en rond ou qui font du sur-place, leurs bâtons à la main , et pendant ce temps, les flammes, elles, font leur travail....

[@jojosmumdorothy2829]

Omg that was awful hope the superheroes are ok

[@georgecribbs6527]

Great camera work, what kind of a camera do you use?

[@joey_morg]

Every time i hear a FF's Pass Alarm go off it makes me sick to my stomach cause it reminds me of 9/11 I hear those things in my sleep almost every night smh

[@michaelboccino5251]

Looking at the Fire Surching Through the Roof ' Pouring Water on or Over the Fire Would Starve the Fire of Oxygen and Then You Have the Backdraft Excellent Footage '

[@samlucchese8928]

It was obvious that their wasn’t enough hose lines deployed on roof when firefighters begin assault on gaping holes where vicious flames were shooting 25 ‘ above roof line, a miracle roof did not collapse where F F were gathered! Lack of command coordination surely was lacking, more hose lines should have been deployed from the get go on roof!

[@marcoramires5045]

*YOU DIDN'T STOP A MINUTE WITH THAT CAMERA. IT LOOKS LIKE HE HAD A CARPENTER AND AN UNCONTROLLED ANXIETY.*

[@albertomadeirajr7824]

Anyone know what started this fire? And how long it took them to put it out?

[@auracruz6211]

Wow 100% a raging fire. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 God bless all The fire fighters. 🚒🚒🚒🚒🚒🚒🚒🚒🙏🙏🙏

[@heidig22]

Sometimes I wonder if they could not improof the ladders for firefighters have to climb down. Some emergency slide that can be activated or something like that. Watching them slowly decenting the ladder with fire all around freaks me out. Up is fine, but they sure not great for out of there fast.

[@davidcarroll965]

Thank God those fire personel were slready moving away from that entrance !

[@angeldawn7859]

This has to be a gas fueled fire🤔 The way it keeps reigniting. God bless those hard working dedicated hero's ❤️

[@anraegodley-cooper6321]

Blessings to you all and your families my Brothers and Sisters in Arms.

[@cyndeecollings5738]

With that many trucks on scene why is there No Water being put on the fire? Even with all those guys on the roof they only had one hose line pulling water on it. Don’t make any since to me.

[@kenmeinken8115]

I was wondering the same thing. Those guys on the roof looked at risk whereas a aerial stream would have been safer and more effective.

[@mikeggg1979]

Cyndee Collings FDNY I thought was the best but they aren’t watch the Stockton Fire Dept in California they are pros. FD seems to let shit burn down it’s absolutely insane

[@timhenslee1025]

At what point in the video is the explosion?

[@yjb19743]

One ladder truck putting water on fire after more then 30 minutes worst fie department

[@yjb19743]

Why are they even on the roof with five ladder truck there

[@samlucchese8928]

Where’s deck guns?

[@samlucchese8928]

Don’t see any deck guns or any water! What’s with the delay?

[@auracruz6211]

Please get those firefighters off that roof..! 😱😱😱

[@amandahudson431]

This video needs to go up the chain of command

[@amandahudson431]

Stop spraying the red sign and spray it in the door

[@Og-Judy]

Tar flat roof. Lots of fuel. Think they would have been better off foaming it. All six businesses were a staple in the area. So sad for those owners. Vacant land plat was sold by owners in 2021

[@angeldawn7859]

Unless you're a fire fighter yourself..you should keep your criticism to yourself..these guy's are pros & I'm sure have their reasons for how they do things. Every fire & state is different how they do things. Remember fire fighters can't do anything unless they get the command from their superior. Obviously they had their legit reason for everything they did..not just one commander in chief was on seen here. Takes time to get water & attack the beast this is.

[@johnkelly3886]

Why were the about a dozen firemen on the roof, while there was only one hose in use.

[@joggitiger6812]

😱 God save the firefighters. but if you let the fire breathe, you have to reckon with this kind of ignition. I pray that no one was seriously injured

[@TheHurkulez]

Was The FDNY sued over their handling of this fire.... I did not see a ground attack til 30+ minutes into the fire.... Two ladders up. Ladders should be spraying into the areas the the other ladder can't see.....(if you can't see it. Its probably not getting water,. Unless you deflect spraying) This fire should not have ever gotten this big....

[@DarylRosenberg01]

To bad the LLN was watermarked all over the video, kept distracting me. Lasted under a min

[@amandahudson431]

Lots of men on the roof, why? Already fire through the roof

[@chrishuston1451]

Hey nozzleman on the right at the sidewalk. The water goes into the fire, not the air conditioning!

[@darrellborland119]

Hope they saved that "Romantic Depot" LOL thanks

[@mluterancik]

I don't understand why when a fire is already raging through the roof when you arrive, why would you put men on that roof? Wouldn't you go on a defensive attack with your deck guns at that point?

[@mikeratel1050]

Determined to protect that hardware store 😂

[@destinybedoya8868]

Wow that's a lot of fdny firefighters

[@FloridaCatholicGuy]

This is why I hate seeing firefighters with no gear on. I don’t care if you are outside, a pump operator or whatever, if you are on the fire ground, have your gear on. Bunker gear is the minimum you should be wearing. We have had guys killed by couplings that come undone and have gone flying that might not have been killed had they been wearing bunker gear.

[@gregadomeit4020]

I crack up the the engineers/pump operators in most videos are just wearing shorts even in the winter. I think it's a dept culture thing just saying

[@windwardpro]

So you can't be on the roof anymore. No truck can spray some freaking water on it??????? I've never seen a fire department do less actual firefighting with so many people in all these videos- than the FDNY.

[@markstrohecker5342]

Dont understand!!What arent the pouring water on it from the top??Wow

[@wpiv926]

Man this is a disappointing effort by the FDNY. Takes forever to start putting water on it.

[@joeypinterrockandroll3961]

is that the #7 train?

[@assman1343]

What a Joke! That fire should have been extinguished in the first 5 minutes! Very disappointed in the NYFD!

[@enricobrauch]

Warum wurden in der Anfangsphase, wo das Feuer noch relativ überschaubar war, nicht mehrere Strahlrohre vorgenommen, wenn schon so viele Leute standen ???

[@Jamaicanmehappy957]

We’re such excellent people