Tragic Queens Fire Claims Mother and Newborn, Exposes Illegal Conversions
A violent four-alarm fire in Queens, New York City, has resulted in the tragic deaths of a mother and her newborn daughter, with the infant's body taking days to locate amidst the extensive debris. The blaze, which erupted on February 9 just before 7pm, destroyed a detached three-story home and severely damaged two adjacent properties.
Fatalities and Firefighting Challenges
The fire claimed the lives of Miguelina Alcantara, 34, and her 17-day-old daughter, Emma Alcantara, who were residing in an allegedly illegally converted basement apartment. The inferno proved so intense that it took over six hours to bring under control, with one firefighter falling through a hole on the first floor, prompting an evacuation order for all first responders inside.
Approximately an hour after the evacuation, during the fire's peak, authorities received reports that a mother and child were missing and believed trapped in the cellar. Firefighters re-entered the building through the rear door, navigating a partial collapse and four feet of freezing water to locate Miguelina, who was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical technicians.
Search and Recovery Efforts
After the fire was subdued around 1:10am, firefighters continued searching the property overnight and into February 10. Building inspectors subsequently arrived and ordered a full demolition of the structure. On February 11, heavy equipment and search dogs were deployed to the site, leading to the discovery of the infant's body around 2pm as rubble was cleared.
John Esposito, the chief of department, emphasized the perilous nature of the operation, stating, 'It’s very important to realize that this entire operation here was very, very dangerous for our firefighters.' He added, 'Any loss of life takes a very hard toll on our firefighters, and for all the effort they put in here, they did save some lives.'
Injuries and Displacement
The fire injured a total of eleven additional individuals. This included four firefighters and eight residents, with five of the latter sustaining injuries after jumping from windows. Two days after the blaze, three residents remained in critical condition at a hospital, including a 22-year-old man with burns covering most of his body.
According to local city Councilman Shekar Krishnan, the incident left 45 people homeless. He described the situation as heartbreaking, noting the deaths, injuries, and displacement of families. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the official causes of death for Alcantara and her newborn.
Illegal Conversions and Building Safety Concerns
Fire marshals are investigating the cause of the blaze, which originated on the first floor before engulfing the entire structure. The three-story house was certified as a two-family residence but lacked a permit for the basement apartment where the victims lived, as confirmed by Krishnan's office.
Esposito highlighted the challenges posed by illegal divisions, stating, 'I know it’s probably too soon to tell about the cellar, how difficult it is for firefighters when they’re dealing with conversions like that.' He referenced past incidents where such conditions have led to firefighter fatalities due to blocked access and egress.
Department of Buildings records reveal that a 311 call was placed in 2022 regarding people living in the basement of the now-destroyed house. Inspectors attempted follow-ups in 2022 and 2023 but were unable to gain entry to verify the claims, leading to the dismissal of complaints as they do not force their way into buildings.
Krishnan expressed deep concern over the building conditions that contributed to the deadly fire, committing to work with city agencies to support affected tenants. The destroyed building and damaged neighbors were certified for eight families, but 14 families were actually residing on the premises, underscoring issues with overcrowding and illegal conversions.
